Beverage-making apparatus

ABSTRACT

A beverage making apparatus includes a fermentation tank assembly including a fermentation tank having an opening formed therein, a fermentation tank cover covering the opening, and a heat exchange element arranged in contact with the fermentation tank. The beverage making apparatus also includes a first channel including a first end that is connected to the fermentation tank assembly; and a second end connected to: a second channel connected to a water tank, and a third channel connected to a dispenser of the beverage making apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/598,617, filed on May 18, 2017, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C.119 and 365 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/338,498, filed on May18, 2016, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0105793, filed onAug. 19, 2016 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office. Thedisclosures of the prior applications are incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a beverage ingredient pack and abeverage making apparatus having the same.

BACKGROUND

Various types of beverages are made via fermentation. Such beverages aretypically made using various ingredients that are combined and fermentedto yield the resulting beverage. As an example, beer is an alcoholicbeverage that is brewed by filtering wort, adding hops to the wort, andthen fermenting the resulting wort mixture with yeast. Wort is typicallymade with malt, which is made from germinated barley.

Ingredients for brewing beer typically include water, malt, hops, yeast,fragrance additives, and the like. The yeast is often referred to asleaven, and is typically added to malt to induce fermentation. The yeastmay also facilitate the generation of alcohol and carbonic acid. In somescenarios, fragrance additives are added that improve the taste of beer,such as fruit, syrup, and vanilla bean additives.

SUMMARY

Implementations described herein provide a beverage-making apparatus.

In one aspect, a beverage-making apparatus includes a fermentation tankassembly including a fermentation tank having an opening formed therein,a fermentation tank cover covering the opening, and a heat exchangeelement arranged in contact with the fermentation tank. Thebeverage-making apparatus further includes a first channel including: afirst end that is connected to the fermentation tank assembly; and asecond end connected to: a second channel connected to a water tank, anda third channel connected to a dispenser of the beverage makingapparatus.

In some implementations, the first channel is configured to transport afirst liquid unidirectionally into the fermentation tank assembly, andtransport a second liquid unidirectionally out of the fermentation tankassembly.

In some implementations, the first liquid includes water, and the secondliquid includes a beverage product produced from the water and beverageingredients held in the fermentation tank assembly.

In some implementations, the second end of the first channel isconnected to the second channel and the third channel by beingconfigured to split into the second channel and third channel.

In some implementations, the first channel is configured to selectivelyprovide unidirectional flow into the fermentation tank assembly andunidirectional flow out of the fermentation tank assembly, the secondchannel is configured to provide unidirectional flow from the water tankto the first channel, and the third channel is configured to provideunidirectional flow from the first channel to the dispenser.

In some implementations, the beverage making apparatus further includes:a first valve configured to selectively control a direction of flow inthe first channel as being one of the unidirectional flow into thefermentation tank assembly or the unidirectional flow out of thefermentation tank assembly; and a second valve configured to selectivelyblock the unidirectional flow in the second channel.

In some implementations, the second channel is configured to transportboth a first liquid and a gas, and the third channel is configured totransport a second liquid.

In some implementations, the first end of the first channel is connectedto the fermentation tank assembly by connecting to the fermentation tankcover.

In some implementations, the first end of the first channel isconfigured to be communicative with a beverage ingredient pack mountedinside the fermentation tank of the fermentation tank assembly.

In some implementations, the second channel is connected to the watertank by being directly coupled with the water tank.

In some implementations, the second channel is connected to the watertank via an ingredient container that is connected to the water tank.

In another aspect, a beverage-making apparatus includes: a fermentationtank assembly including a fermentation tank having an opening formedtherein, a fermentation tank cover covering the opening, and a heatexchange element arranged in contact with the fermentation tank. Thebeverage-making apparatus further includes a first channel including: afirst end that is connected to the fermentation tank assembly; and asecond end connected to: a second channel connected to an ingredientcontainer, and a third channel connected to a dispenser of the beveragemaking apparatus.

In some implementations, the second channel is connected to theingredient container via a plurality of outlet channels that connect tothe ingredient container.

In some implementations, the first end of the first channel is connectedto the fermentation tank assembly by connecting to the fermentation tankcover.

In some implementations, the first channel is configured to transport afirst liquid unidirectionally into the fermentation tank assembly, andtransport a second liquid unidirectionally out of the fermentation tankassembly.

In some implementations, the first liquid includes a mixture of waterand ingredients from the ingredient container, and the second liquidincludes a beverage product produced from the mixture of the water andthe ingredients from the ingredient container.

In some implementations, the second channel is configured to transportboth a first liquid and a gas, and the third channel is configured totransport a second liquid.

In some implementations, the first channel is configured to selectivelyprovide unidirectional flow into the fermentation tank assembly andunidirectional flow out of the fermentation tank assembly, the secondchannel is configured to provide unidirectional flow from the ingredientcontainer to the first channel, and the third channel is configured toprovide unidirectional flow from the first channel to the dispenser.

In some implementations, the first end of the first channel is connectedto the fermentation tank assembly by connecting to the fermentation tankcover.

In some implementations, the first end of the first channel isconfigured to be communicative with a beverage ingredient pack mountedinside the fermentation tank of the fermentation tank assembly.

Further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will becomeapparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred implementations of the disclosure,are given by illustration only, since various changes and modificationswithin the spirit and scope of the disclosure will become apparent fromthis detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a beverage makeraccording to some implementations;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a perspective view of thebeverage maker according to some implementations;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a perspective view of aninside of the beverage maker according to some implementations;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a front view of an insideof the beverage maker according to some implementations;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sectional view of aninside of a container, such as a fermentation tank assembly, of thebeverage maker according to some implementations;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sectional view when anopening shown in FIG. 5 is opened;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a side view of an example of a beverageingredient pack of the beverage maker according to some implementations;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a sectional view of the example of thebeverage ingredient pack of the beverage maker according to someimplementations;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a side view of another example of thebeverage ingredient pack of the beverage maker according to someimplementations;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a sectional view of the anotherexample of the beverage ingredient pack of the beverage maker accordingto some implementations;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a sectional view of still anotherexample of the beverage ingredient pack of the beverage maker accordingto some implementations;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sectional view of abeverage extraction valve of the beverage maker according to someimplementations;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control sequence ofthe beverage maker according to some implementations;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of an entire configurationview of a beverage maker according to another implementation;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a sequence of a firstimplementation of beverage extraction control performed by the beveragemaking apparatus; and

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a sequence of a secondimplementation of the beverage extraction control performed by thebeverage making apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations described herein provide a beverage-making apparatus. Insome implementations, the beverage-making apparatus is configured toproduce and extract a beverage while cleanly maintaining the inside of acontainer in which the beverage is produced, such as a fermentationtank.

Implementations also provide a beverage-making apparatus configured toextract a beverage product without necessarily providing a separate pumpfor extracting the beverage through a beverage extraction flow path. Thebeverage-making apparatus may thus facilitate the extraction of abeverage product.

According to some implementations, the beverage-making apparatusincludes a container, such as a fermentation tank, that accommodates abeverage ingredient pack. The beverage ingredient pack is configured tostore at least some ingredients for making the beverage, and alsoaccommodates at least part of the beverage-making process.

During extraction of a beverage product from the beverage ingredientpack, the beverage-making apparatus is configured to compress thebeverage ingredient pack by supplying air in a space between thebeverage ingredient pack and an inner wall of the container. As such,the beverage-making apparatus may be more cleanly maintained and managedas compared to a structure that implements a pump to pump out thebeverage product. As such, the beverage product may be more simplyextracted without necessarily implementing a separate pump for thebeverage extraction.

Hereinafter, some implementations of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Some of the examples below will describe a scenario in which thebeverage-making apparatus is specifically a beer-making apparatus.However, implementations are not limited therefore, and may beimplemented as any suitable beverage making apparatus that utilizesfermentation.

FIG. 1 is an entire configuration view of a beverage maker according toan implementation.

The beverage making apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, may include afermentation module 1, an ingredient supplier 3 (or simply, supplier 3)connected to the fermentation module 1 through a main flow path 2, awater supply module 5 connected to the supplier 3 through a water supplyflow path 4, and a beverage extractor 6 that extracts a beveragefermented in the fermentation module 1.

The fermentation module 1 includes a container, for example fermentationtank assembly 11, having a space S1 formed therein. The container mayinclude a container body, such as fermentation tank 112, and a containercover, such as fermentation tank cover 114.

In the example of FIG. 1, the fermentation tank assembly 11 includes afermentation tank 112 has an opening 111 formed at an upper portionthereof, the fermentation tank 112 having the space S1 formed therein,and a fermentation tank cover 114 covering the opening 111.

The fermentation tank 112 may be configured as an assembly of aplurality of members.

The fermentation tank cover 114 is used to seal the inside of thefermentation tank 112, and may be disposed at an upper portion of thefermentation tank 112 to cover the opening 111. A main flow pathconnecting part 115 connected to the main flow path 2 may be formed inthe fermentation tank cover 114.

In addition, the fermentation module 1 may further include a removablebeverage ingredient pack 12 that holds at least some of the ingredientsfor making the beverage. As shown in the example of FIG. 1, the beverageingredient pack 12 may be a beverage ingredient pack that is insertedand accommodated in the fermentation tank assembly 11.

In this example, the beverage ingredient pack 12 may be a pack in whichingredients for brewing a beverage are accommodated.

The beverage brewing pack 12 may be formed smaller than the space S1formed in the fermentation tank assembly 11. The beverage brewing pack12 may be inserted and accommodated in the fermentation tank 11 in astate in which the ingredients are accommodated therein. The beveragebrewing pack 12 may be inserted into the fermentation tank 112 to beaccommodated in the fermentation tank 112 in a state in which theopening 111 of the fermentation tank 112 is opened. The fermentationtank cover 114 may cover the opening 111 of the fermentation tank 112after the beverage brewing pack 12 is inserted into the fermentationtank 112. The beverage brewing pack 12 may assist the ingredients to befermented in a state in which the beverage brewing pack 12 isaccommodated in the space S1 sealed by the fermentation tank 112 and thefermentation tank cover 114. The beverage brewing pack 12 may beexpanded by a pressure therein while the beverage is being brewed.

For example, in a scenario in which the beverage-making apparatus is abeer maker, the ingredients for brewing the beer may include water,malt, yeast, hops, fragrance additives, and the like.

The beverage maker may include both of the ingredient supplier 3 and thebeverage ingredient pack 12, and the ingredients for brewing thebeverage may be distributed and accommodated in the supplier 3 and thebeverage ingredient pack 12. Some ingredients among the ingredients forbrewing the beverage may be accommodated in the beverage ingredient pack12, and the other ingredients may be accommodated in the supplier 3. Theother ingredients accommodated in the supplier 3 may be supplied to thebeverage ingredient pack 12 together with water supplied from the watersupply module 5, and be mixed with the ingredients accommodated in thebeverage ingredient pack 12.

A main ingredient essential to brew the beverage may be accommodated inthe beverage ingredient pack 12, and additives added to the mainingredient may be accommodated in the supplier 3. In this case, theadditives accommodated in the supplier 3 may be mixed with the watersupplied from the water supply module 5 to be supplied to the beverageingredient pack 12, and be mixed with the main ingredient accommodatedin the beverage ingredient pack 12.

The main ingredient accommodated in the beverage ingredient pack 12 isan ingredient having a larger volume than the other ingredients, and maybe, in the case of beer, malt. The malt may be among various ingredientsthat include yeast, hops, and fragrance additives. In addition, theadditives accommodated in the supplier 3 may be the other ingredientsexcept the malt among the ingredient for brewing the beer, such as theyeast, the hops, the fragrance additives, and the like.

In some implementations, the beverage maker does not include both of thebeverage ingredient pack 12 and the supplier 3 as described above, butmay include only the supplier 3 without any separate beverage ingredientpack 12. All of the ingredients for brewing the beverage may beaccommodated in the supplier 3. In this case, all of the ingredientsaccommodated in the supplier 3 may be supplied to the inside of thefermentation tank assembly 11 together with the water supplied from thewater supply module 5. The main ingredient and the additives may beaccommodated together in the supplier 3. The main ingredient andadditives, which are accommodated in the supplier 3, may besimultaneously supplied to the inside of the fermentation tank assembly11 or be sequentially supplied with a time difference.

In some implementations, the beverage maker does not include anyseparate beverage ingredient pack 12, but may directly inject someingredients among the ingredients for brewing the beverage into thefermentation tank assembly 11 and allow the other ingredients forbrewing the beverage to be accommodated in the ingredient supplier 3. Inthis case, a user may directly inject the main ingredient into thefermentation tank assembly 11, and the additives may be accommodated inthe supplier 3. The additives accommodated in the supplier 3 may bemixed with the water supplied from the water supply module 5, and bemixed with the main ingredient previously injected into the fermentationtank assembly 11.

In some implementations, the beverage maker does not include theingredient supplier 3, but may include the beverage ingredient pack 12.In this case, the main ingredient may be accommodated in the beverageingredient pack 12, and the user may directly inject the additives intothe beverage ingredient pack 12.

In some implementations, the beverage maker does not include either ofthe ingredient supplier 3 or the beverage ingredient pack 12, andinstead a user may directly inject the main ingredient and the additivessimultaneously or with a time difference into the fermentation tankassembly 11.

When the beverage maker includes both of the ingredient supplier 3 andthe beverage ingredient pack 12, the beverage can be more convenientlybrewed. Hereinafter, the case where the beverage maker includes both ofthe supplier 3 and the beverage ingredient pack 12 is described as anexample. However, it will be apparent that the present disclosure is notlimited to the case where the beverage maker includes both of thesupplier 3 and the beverage ingredient pack 12.

The ingredients injected into the beverage ingredient pack 12 may befermented as time elapses. The beverage that has been completely brewedin the beverage ingredient pack 12 may flow in the main flow path 2through the main flow path connecting part 115, and flow from the mainflow path 2 to the beverage extractor 6 to be extracted from thebeverage extractor 6.

The fermentation module 1 may further include a temperature controllerthat changes a temperature of the fermentation tank assembly 11. As thetemperature controller heats or cools the fermentation tank assembly 11,the temperature of the fermentation tank assembly 11 can be controlledto an optimum temperature for brewing the beverage.

The temperature controller may include a refrigeration cycle apparatus13 including a compressor 131, a condenser 132, an expansion device 133,and an evaporator 134, and any one of the condenser 132 and theevaporator 134 may be disposed at the fermentation tank assembly 11.

When the condenser 132 is disposed in contact with the fermentation tank112, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 13 may control a temperature ofthe fermentation tank 112 by heating the fermentation tank 112. In thiscase, the condenser 132 may be disposed in contact with the outersurface of the fermentation tank 112. The condenser 132 may include acondensing tube wound around the outer surface of the fermentation tank112.

When the evaporator 134 is disposed in contact with the fermentationtank 112, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 13 may control thetemperature of the fermentation tank 112 by cooling the fermentationtank 112. In this case, the evaporator 134 may be disposed in contactwith the outer surface of the fermentation tank 112. The evaporator 134may include an evaporating tube wound around the outer surface of thefermentation tank 112. The evaporating tube may be accommodated betweenthe fermentation tank 112 and a heat insulating wall 102 (see FIGS. 3and 4), and cool the inside of a heat insulating space S2 heat-insulatedby the heat insulating wall 102.

The temperature controller may further include a heater 14 that heatsthe fermentation tank assembly 11. The heater 14 may be disposed incontact with the outer surface of the fermentation tank 112, and beconfigured as a heater that generates heat when power is appliedthereto. The heater 14 may be configured as a line heater, and be woundaround the outer surface of the fermentation tank 112.

The refrigeration cycle apparatus 13 may be configured as a heat pump.The refrigeration cycle apparatus 13 may include a flow path switchingvalve. The flow path switching valve may be configured as a four-wayvalve. The flow path switching valve may be connected to each of aninlet flow path of the compressor 131 and an outlet flow path of thecompressor 131. The flow path switching valve may be connected to thecondenser 132 through a condenser connection flow path, and be connectedto the evaporator 134 through an evaporator connection flow path.

When the fermentation tank 112 is cooled, the flow path switching valvemay guide a refrigerant compressed by the compressor 131 to thecondenser 132 and guide the refrigerant discharged from the evaporator134 to the compressor 131.

When the fermentation tank 112 is heated, the flow path switching valvemay guide the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 131 to theevaporator 134 and guide the refrigerant discharged from the condenser132 to the compressor 131.

The beverage maker may include a beverage extraction pressurizing device15 that injects air between the beverage ingredient pack 12 and thefermentation tank assembly 11. In a state in which the beverageingredient pack 12 is accommodated in the fermentation tank assembly 11,the beverage extraction pressurizing device 15 may inject air betweenthe beverage ingredient pack 12 and the fermentation tank assembly 11,and the air injected into the fermentation tank assembly 11 maypressurize the beverage ingredient pack 12. The beverage in the beverageingredient pack 12 may be pressurized by the air, and flow in the mainflow path 2 by passing through the main flow path connecting part 115.The beverage flowing in the main flow path 2 from the beverageingredient pack 12 may be extracted to the outside through the beverageextractor 6.

That is, in the beverage maker, if the beverage is completely brewed,the beverage in the beverage ingredient pack 12 may be extracted throughthe beverage extractor 6 in a state in which the beverage ingredientpack 12 is not taken out of the fermentation tank assembly 11 butlocated in the fermentation tank assembly 11.

The beverage extraction pressurizing device 15 may include an air pump152 that pumps air and an air supply flow path 154 that connects the airpump 152 and the inside of the fermentation tank assembly 11. Thebeverage extraction pressurizing device 15 may further include an aircontrol valve 156 in the air supply flow path 154. The beverageextraction pressurizing device 15 may further include an air reliefvalve 158 provided to the air supply flow path 154. The air relief valve158 may be installed posterior to the air control valve 156 in an airsupply direction in the air supply flow path 154.

The air control valve 156 may be opened only when the beverage isextracted to allow air to be introduced into the fermentation tankassembly 11, and otherwise maintain a closed state while the beverage isnot being extracted.

The beverage maker may further include a temperature sensor 16 thatmeasures a temperature of the fermentation tank assembly 11. Thetemperature sensor 16 may be installed to measure a temperature of thefermentation tank 112.

Hereinafter, the ingredient supplier 3 (or simply, supplier 3) will bedescribed.

The supplier 3 may be connected to a water supply heater 53 through thewater supply flow path 4, and may be connected to the fermentation tankassembly 11 through the main flow path 2.

The supplier 3 may accommodate ingredients required to brew the beveragetherein, and be configured to allow water supplied from the water supplymodule 5 to pass therethrough. For example, in the case of beer, theingredients accommodated in the supplier 3 may be yeast, hops, fragranceadditives, and the like.

The ingredients accommodated in the supplier 3 may be directlyaccommodated in an ingredient accommodation part formed in the supplier3. At least one ingredient accommodation part may be formed in thesupplier 3. A plurality of ingredient accommodation parts may be formedin the supplier 3. In this case, the plurality of ingredientaccommodation parts may be formed to be divided from one another.

Meanwhile, the ingredients accommodated in the ingredient supplier 3 maybe accommodated in an ingredient package, such as a capsule. At leastone ingredient package accommodation part, in which the ingredientpackage is accommodated, may be formed in the ingredient supplier 3.When the ingredients are accommodated in the capsule, the supplier 3 maybe configured such that the capsule is mountable and extractable. Thesupplier 3 may be configured as a capsule kit assembly in which thecapsule is separably accommodated.

Each of the main flow path 2 and the water supply flow path 4 may beconnected to the supplier 3. The water supplied through the water supplyflow path 4 may be mixed with the ingredients by passing through theingredient accommodation part or the capsule. The ingredientsaccommodated in the ingredient accommodation part or the capsule mayflow in the main flow path 2 together with the water.

A plurality of different kinds of additives may be separated from oneanother to be accommodated in the supplier 3. In the example of a beermaker, the plurality of additives accommodated in the supplier 3 may beyeast, hops, and fragrance additives, and be separated from one anotherto be accommodated in the supplier 3.

When a plurality of ingredient accommodation parts are formed in thesupplier 3, each of the plurality of ingredient accommodation parts maybe connected to the water supply flow path through a supplier entranceflow path, and be connected to the main flow path 2 through a supplierexit flow path.

When a plurality of capsule accommodation parts are formed in thesupplier 3, each of the plurality of capsule accommodation parts may beconnected to the water supply flow path 4 through the supplier entranceflow path, and be connected to the main flow path 2 through the supplierexit flow path.

The ingredient accommodation part of the supplier 3 and the capsuleaccommodation part of the supplier 3 may be the substantially samecomponent. When the capsule is inserted into the supplier 3 in a statein which the ingredients are accommodated in the capsule, the componentmay be referred to as the capsule accommodation part. When theingredients are directly accommodated in the supplier 3 in a state inwhich the ingredients are not contained in the capsule, the componentmay be referred to as the ingredient accommodation part. Since theingredient accommodation part and the capsule accommodation part may bethe substantially same component, it will be described below that, forconvenience of description, the capsule accommodation part is formed inthe supplier 3.

The capsule accommodation part in which a capsule containing additivesis attachably/detachably accommodated may be formed in the supplier 3.The supplier 3 may be connected to the water supply flow path 4 throughthe supplier entrance flow path, and be connected to the main flow path2 through the supplier exit flow path.

An opening/closing valve that opens/closes the supplier entrance flowpath may be installed in the supplier entrance flow path.

A check valve that blocks a fluid of the main flow path 2 from flowingbackward to the capsule accommodation part may be installed in thesupplier exit flow path.

A plurality of capsule accommodation parts 31, 32, and 33 may be formedin the supplier 3. The plurality of capsule accommodation parts 31, 32,and 33 may be formed to be divided from one another. The plurality ofcapsule accommodation parts 31, 32, and 33 may be connected to supplierentrance flow paths and supplier exit flow paths, respectively.

Hereinafter, a first additive, a second additive, and a third additivemay be accommodated in the supplier 3. In the example of a beer maker,the first additive may be yeast, the second additive may be hop, and thethird additive may be a fragrance additive.

The supplier 3 may include a first capsule accommodation part 31 inwhich a first capsule C1 containing the first additive is accommodated,a second capsule accommodation part 32 in which a second capsule C2containing the second additive is accommodated, and a third capsuleaccommodation part 33 in which a third capsule C3 containing the thirdadditive is accommodated.

A first supplier entrance flow path 311 that guides water or air to thefirst capsule accommodation part 31 may be connected to the firstcapsule accommodation part 31, and a first supplier exit flow path 312through which water discharged from the first capsule accommodation part31, a mixture of the water and the first additive, and air are guidedmay be connected to the first capsule accommodation part 31. A firstopening/closing valve 313 that opens/closes the first supplier entranceflow path 311 may be installed in the first supplier entrance flow path311. A first check valve 314 that blocks the fluid of the main flow path2 from flowing backward to the first capsule accommodation part 31 whileallowing a fluid of the first capsule accommodation part 31 to flow inthe main flow path 2 may be installed in the first supplier exit flowpath 312. Here, the fluid may include the water discharged from thefirst capsule accommodation part 31, the mixture of the water and thefirst additive, and the air.

A second supplier entrance flow path 321 that guides water or air to thesecond capsule accommodation part 32 may be connected to the secondcapsule accommodation part 32, and a second supplier exit flow path 322through which water discharged from the second capsule accommodationpart 32, a mixture of the water and the second additive, and air areguided may be connected to the second capsule accommodation part 32. Asecond opening/closing valve 323 that opens/closes the second supplierentrance flow path 321 may be installed in the second supplier entranceflow path 321. A second check valve 324 that blocks the fluid of themain flow path 2 from flowing backward to the second capsuleaccommodation part 32 while allowing a fluid of the second capsuleaccommodation part 32 to flow in the main flow path 2 may be installedin the second supplier exit flow path 322. Here, the fluid may includethe water discharged from the second capsule accommodation part 32, themixture of the water and the second additive, and the air.

A third supplier entrance flow path 331 that guides water or air to thethird capsule accommodation part 33 may be connected to the thirdcapsule accommodation part 33, and a third supplier exit flow path 332through which water discharged from the third capsule accommodation part33, a mixture of the water and the third additive, and air are guidedmay be connected to the third capsule accommodation part 33. A thirdopening/closing valve 323 that opens/closes the third supplier entranceflow path 331 may be installed in the third supplier entrance flow path331. A third check valve 334 that blocks the fluid of the main flow path2 from flowing backward to the third capsule accommodation part 33 whileallowing a fluid of the third capsule accommodation part 33 to flow inthe main flow path 2 may be installed in the third supplier exit flowpath 332. Here, the fluid may include the water discharged from thethird capsule accommodation part 33, the mixture of the water and thethird additive, and the air.

The beverage maker may include a bypass flow path 34 that enables thewater supplied from the water flow path 4 to be supplied to the mainflow path 2 by bypassing the capsule accommodation parts 31, 32, and 33.

The bypass flow path 34 may be connected to the water supply flow path 4and the main flow path 2, and water or air of the water flow path 4 maybe guided to the bypass flow path 34 to flow in the main flow path 2 bybypassing the capsule accommodation parts 31, 32, and 33.

The bypass flow path 34 may be connected in parallel to flow paths ofthe first capsule accommodation part 31, the second capsuleaccommodation part 32, and the third capsule accommodation part 33.

A bypass valve 35 that opens/closes the bypass flow path 34 may beinstalled in the bypass flow path 34.

The beverage maker may include a main supply flow path that guides thewater, the ingredients of the beverage, or the air to the fermentationtank assembly 11 therethrough.

When the beverage maker includes both of the supplier 3 and the watersupply module 5, the main supply flow path may include all of the mainflow path 2, the bypass flow path 34, and the water supply flow path 4.In this case, the main supply flow path may supply all of the water, theair, and the ingredients of the beverage to the fermentation tankassembly 11.

The beverage maker includes the supplier 3, but may not include thewater supply module 5. In this case, the main supply flow path mayinclude all of the main flow path 2, the bypass flow path 34, and thewater supply flow path 4. The water supply flow path 4 may be directlyconnected to a water faucet or include a water supply tube that isconnected to the water faucet through a separate connection hose to besupplied with external water. The water supply tube may be supplied withexternal water to supply the external water to the bypass flow path 34or the supplier 3. That is, the main supply flow path may supply all ofthe water, the air, and the ingredients of the beverage to thefermentation tank assembly 11 therethrough.

The beverage maker includes the water supply module 5, but may notinclude the supplier 3. In this case, the main supply flow path mayinclude the main flow path 2, and the main flow path 2 may be directlyconnected to the water supply module 5. In addition, an air injectionflow path 81 of an air injector 8 may be connected to the main flow path2.

When the beverage maker includes the water supply module 5 but does notinclude the supplier 3, the main supply flow path does not require aseparate water supply flow path 4 or bypass flow path 34 that connectsthe water supply module 5 and the supplier 3, and the main flow path 2may be directly supplied from the water supply module 5. In addition,the air injection flow path 81 of the air injector 8 may be connected toa portion located between the water supply module 5 and a main valve 9in the main flow path 2.

When the beverage maker includes the water supply module 5 but does notinclude the supplier 3, water of the water supply module 5 may besupplied to the fermentation tank assembly 11 through the main flow path2, and air of the air injector 8 may be supplied to the fermentationtank assembly 11 through the main flow path 2. That is, the main flowpath may supply water and air to the fermentation tank assembly 11.

The beverage maker may not include both of the supplier 3 and the watersupply module 5. In this case, the main supply flow path may include themain flow path 2, and the main flow path 2 may be directly connected toa water faucet or include a water supply tube that is connected to thewater faucet through a separate connection hose to be supplied withexternal water. The water supply tube may be supplied with externalwater to supply the external water to the fermentation tank assembly 11.

When the beverage maker does not include both of the supplier 3 and thewater supply module 5, the main supply flow path does not require aseparate water supply flow path 4 or bypass flow path 34 that connectsthe water supply module 5 and the supplier 3, and the main flow path 2may be directly supplied from the water supply module 5. In this case,the air injection flow path 81 of the air injector 8 may be connected tothe main flow path 2, and be connected prior to the main valve 9 in themain flow path 2. That is, the main supply flow path may supply waterand air to the fermentation tank assembly 11.

Hereinafter, the case where the beverage maker includes all of the mainflow path 2, the water supply flow path 4, and the bypass flow path 34will be described as an example.

The main flow path 2 may be connected to the first supplier exit flowpath 312, the second supplier exit flow path 322, the third supplierexit flow path 332, and the bypass flow path 34. The main flow path 2may include a common tube connected to the fermentation tank assembly 11and a combination tube connected to the first supplier exit flow path312, the second supplier exit flow path 322, the third supplier exitflow path 332, the bypass flow path 34 and the common tube.

The main flow path 2 may be connected to the fermentation tank assembly11, and be connected to the fermentation tank cover 114 in thefermentation tank assembly 11.

The water supply flow path 4 may be connected to the first supplierentrance flow path 311, the second supplier entrance flow path 321, thethird supplier entrance flow path 331, and the bypass flow path 34.

The water supply flow path 4 may include a common tube connected to thewater supply module 5, and a plurality of branch tubes branching offfrom the common tube, the plurality of branch tubes being connected tothe first supplier entrance flow path 311, the second supplier entranceflow path 321, the third supplier entrance flow path 331, and the bypassflow path 34.

The water supply module 5 may include a water tank 51 containing water,a water supply pump 52 that pumps the water of the water tank 51, andthe water supply heater 53 that heats the water pumped by the watersupply pump 52.

A water tank outlet flow path 54 may be connected to the water tank 51,and the water supply pump 52 may be connected to the water tank outletflow path 54.

A water supply pump outlet flow path 55 may be connected to the watersupply pump 52, and the water supply heater 53 may be connected to thewater supply pump outlet flow path 55.

A flow meter 56 that measures a flow rate of the water supply pumpoutlet flow path 55 may be installed in the water supply pump outletflow path 55.

The water supply heater 53 may be a mold heater, and include a heatercase through which the water pumped by the water supply pump 52 passes,and a heater installed in the heater case to heat water introduced intothe heater case. A thermistor 57 that measures a temperature of thewater supply heater 53 may be installed in the water supply heater 53.In addition, a thermal fuse 58 that cuts off current applied to thewater supply heater 53 as a circuit is interrupted when the temperatureof the water supply heater 53 is high.

When the water supply pump 52 is driven, water of the water tank 51 maybe guided to the water supply heater 53 through the water tank outletflow path 54, the water supply pump 52, and the water supply pump outletflow path 55. The water guided to the water heater 53 may be heated bythe water supply heater 53 and then guided to the water supply flow path4.

The beverage extractor 6 may be connected to the main flow path 2. Thebeverage extractor 6 may include a beverage extraction flow path 61connected to the main flow path 2, the beverage extraction flow path 61allowing the beverage of the main flow path 2 to be guided therethrough.The beverage extractor 6 may further include a beverage extraction valve62 connected to the beverage extraction flow path 61.

An anti-foaming path 63 may be provided in the beverage extraction flowpath 61, and foam of the beverage flowing from the main flow path 2 tothe beverage extraction flow path 61 may be minimized by passing throughthe anti-foaming path 63. A mesh, etc., through which foam is filtered,may be provided in the anti-foaming path 63.

The beverage extraction valve 62 may include a lever manipulated by theuser and a tap valve having a micro switch that detects a manipulationof the user.

Meanwhile, the beverage maker may further include a gas discharger thatdischarges gas in the fermentation module 1 to the outside.

The gas discharger 7 may include a gas extraction flow path 71 connectedto the fermentation module 1 and a pressure sensor 72 installed in thegas extraction flow path 71. The gas discharger 7 may further include agas extraction valve 73 that opens/closes the gas extraction flow path71. The gas discharger 7 may further include an air filter 74 throughwhich gas passing through the gas extraction valve 73 passes.

The gas extraction flow path 71 may be connected to the fermentationtank assembly 11, particularly, the fermentation tank cover 114.

The gas extraction valve 73 may be turned on when air is injected intothe beverage ingredient pack 12, to be opened. The beverage maker mayallow ingredients (e.g., malt in the example of a beer maker) and waterto be uniformly mixed together by injecting air into the beverageingredient pack 12. As such, in the case of beer making, bubblesgenerated from the resulting liquid malt may be discharged to theoutside at an upper portion of the beer brewing pack 12 through the gasextraction flow path 71 and the gas extraction valve 73.

The gas extraction valve 73 may be opened to detect a fermentationdegree during a fermentation process. The gas in the beverage brewingpack 12 may flow in the pressure sensor 72. The pressure sensor 72 maysense a pressure of the gas discharged from the beverage brewing pack12.

The pressure sensor 72, the gas extraction valve 73, and the air filter74 may be sequentially disposed in a gas discharge direction in the gasextraction flow path 71.

The gas discharger 7 may further include a gas discharge relief valve 75provided in the gas extraction flow path 71. The gas discharge reliefvalve 75 may be installed prior to the pressure sensor 72 in the gasdischarge direction.

The beverage maker may further include the air injector 8 connected toat least one of the main flow path 2 and the water supply flow path 4 toinject air.

When the air injector 8 is connected to the water supply flow path 4,air may be injected into the supplier 3 through the water supply flowpath 4. The air injected into the water supply flow path 4 maysequentially pass through the supplier 3 and the main flow path 2 andthen be injected into the beverage brewing pack 12. When the airinjector 8 is connected to the water supply flow path 4, air may beinjected into the beverage brewing pack 12 through the water supply flowpath 4, the bypass flow path 34, and the main flow path 2. The airinjector 8 may supply the air to ingredients in the beverage brewingpack 12.

When the air injector 8 is connected to the water supply flow path 4,air may be injected into the capsule accommodation parts 31, 32, and 33through the water supply flow path 4, remaining water or sludge in thecapsules C1, C2, and C3 and the capsule accommodation parts 31, 32, and32 may flow in the main flow path 2, and the capsules C1, C2, and C3 andthe capsule accommodation parts 31, 32, and 32 may be cleanlymaintained.

The air injector 8 may include the air injection flow path 81 connectedto the water supply flow path 4 and an air injection pump 82 that pumpsair to the air injection flow path 81.

The air injector 8 may further include a check valve 83 that blocks thewater of the water supply flow path 4 from being introduced into the airinjection pump 82 through the air injection flow path 81. The checkvalve 83 may be installed posterior to the air injection pump 82 in anair injection direction.

The air injector 8 may further include an air filter 84 connected to theair injection flow path 81, the air filter 84 being installed prior tothe air injection pump 82 in the air injection direction.

When the air injection pump 82 is driven, dust, etc. in air may befiltered by the air filter 84, and the air passing through the airfilter 84 may be flowed by the air injection pump 82 to flow in thewater supply flow path 4.

The beverage maker may further include the main valve 9 thatopens/closes the main flow path 2.

The main valve 9 may be installed, in the main flow path 2, between aconnection part 91 of the main flow path 2 and the beverage extractionflow path 61 and a connection part 92 of the main flow path 2 and thefermentation tank assembly 11.

The main valve 9 may be opened when hot water is injected into thebeverage ingredient pack 12, to open the main flow path 2. The mainvalve 9 may be closed while the fermentation tank assembly 11 is cooled,to close the main flow path 2. The main valve 9 may be opened when airis injected into the beverage ingredient pack 12, to open the main flowpath 2. The main valve 9 may be opened when an additive is supplied tothe inside of the beverage ingredient pack 12, to open the main flowpath 2. The main valve 9 may be closed while ingredients are beingfermented, to close the inside of the beverage ingredient pack 12. Themain valve 9 may be closed when the beverage is ripened and kept, toclose the inside of the beverage ingredient pack 12. The main valve 9may be opened when the beverage is extracted from the beverage extractor6, to open the main flow path 2.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the beverage maker according to someimplementations. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an inside ofthe beverage maker according to some implementations. FIG. 4 is a frontview illustrating an inside of the beverage maker according to someimplementations.

The beverage maker may further include a base 100. The base 100 may forma bottom appearance of the beverage maker, and support the fermentationtank assembly 11, the compressor 131, the water supply heater 53, thewater supply pump 52, the water tank 51, and the like, which are locatedat the top side thereof.

The beverage maker may further include a beverage container 101configured to receive and keep beverage dropping from the beverageextraction valve 62. The beverage container 101 may be integrally formedwith the base 100 or be coupled to the base 100.

The beverage container 101 may include a container body 101A having aspace in which the beverage dropping from the beverage extraction valve62 is accommodated. The beverage container 101 may include a containertop plate 101B disposed at the top surface of the container body 101A tocover the space in the container body 101A.

The container body 101A may be formed to protrude forward at a frontportion of the base 100. The top surface of the container body 101A maybe opened.

Holes 101C through which the beverage drops into the container body 101Amay be formed in the container top plate 101B.

Beverage dropping around a beverage container in the beverage droppingfrom the beverage extraction valve 62 may drop to the container topplate 101B, and be temporarily kept inside the beverage container 101through the holes 101C of the container top plate 101B. Thus,surroundings of the beverage maker can be cleanly maintained.

The fermentation tank 112, as shown in FIG. 4, may include a lowerfermentation tank 112A of which top surface is opened, the lowerfermentation tank 112A having a space formed therein, and an upperfermentation tank 112B disposed at the top of the lower fermentationtank 112A, the upper fermentation tank 112B having the opening 111formed in the top surface thereof.

A seat part 116 on which the beverage ingredient pack 12 is mounted maybe provided in the fermentation tank 112. The seat part 116 may beprovided to protrude from the opening 111, and a circumferential part ofthe beverage ingredient pack 12 may be mounted on the seat part 116.

The beverage maker may include the heat insulating wall 102 surroundingboth of the fermentation tank 112 and the evaporator 134.

The heat insulating wall 102 may be formed of polystyrene foam or thelike, which has high heat insulation performance and can absorbvibration.

A heat insulating wall opening 103 may be formed at an upper portion ofthe heat insulating wall 102, and the heat insulating space S2 may beformed inside the heat insulating wall 102.

The heat insulating wall 102 may be configured as an assembly of aplurality of members. The heat insulating wall 102 may include a lowerheat insulating wall 102A of which top surface is opened, the lower heatinsulating wall 102A having a space formed therein, and an upper heatinsulating wall 102B disposed at the top of the lower heat insulatingwall 102A, the upper heat insulating wall 102B having the heatinsulating wall opening 103 formed in the top surface thereof.

The heat insulating wall 102 having the lower heat insulating wall 102Aand the upper heat insulating wall 102B may surround the circumferentialand bottom surfaces of the fermentation tank 112.

The heat insulating wall opening 103 of the heat insulating wall 102 maysurround an upper portion of the fermentation tank 112. The heatinsulating wall opening 103 of the heat insulating wall 102 may surroundthe outer surface of a portion at which the heat insulating wall opening103 is formed in the fermentation tank 112.

An inner surface 102C of the heat insulating wall 102 may have a largerdiameter than an outer surface 112C of the fermentation tank 112, and agap may be formed between the inner surface 102C of the heat insulatingwall 102 and the outer surface 112C of the fermentation tank 112. Airmay be filled in the gap, and the air between the inner surface 102C ofthe heat insulating wall 102 and the outer surface 112C of thefermentation tank 112 may heat-insulate the fermentation tank 112. Thegap between the inner surface 102C of the heat insulating wall 102 andthe outer surface 112C of the fermentation tank 112 may be a space inwhich the evaporator 134 is accommodated, and simultaneously be a spacethat can minimize a change in temperature of the fermentation tank 112.

The fermentation tank 112 may be mounted on a top surface 102E of abottom plate part 102D of the heat insulating wall 102, and be supportedby the top surface 102E of the bottom plate part 102D of the heatinsulating wall 102.

A bottom surface 102F of the bottom plate part 102D of the heatinsulating wall 102 may be placed on a heat insulating wall supporter100A formed on the top surface of the base 100.

An air supply flow path through-hole 102G through which the air supplyflow path 154 passes may be formed in the bottom plate part 102D of theheat insulating wall 102. The air supply flow path through-hole 102G mayform at least part of a channel that is communicative with a space thatis formed in the interior of the container body between a wall of thecontainer body and the beverage ingredient pack 12 mounted inside thecontainer body. Air that is supplied through this channel may exertpressure on the flexible beverage ingredient pack 12, causing themanufactured beverage to be extracted. At least a portion of the airsupply flow path 154 may be formed through the heat insulating wall 102,and be connected to the fermentation tank 112.

Meanwhile, the evaporator 134 may be an evaporating tube wound aroundthe outer surface of the fermentation tank 112 to be located in the gap.The evaporator 134 may be in contact with each of the outer surface 112Cof the fermentation tank 112 and the inner surface 102C of the heatinsulating wall 102. The evaporator 134 may be supported by the heatinsulating wall 102.

The evaporator 134 may include an extending tube extending to theoutside of the heat insulating wall 102 by passing through anevaporating tube through-hole formed in the heat insulating wall 102.

The beverage maker may include a heat insulating wall cover 104 and 105surrounding the circumferential and top surfaces of the heat insulatingwall 102.

The heat insulating wall cover 104 and 105 may be configured as onecover, and be configured as an assembly of a plurality of covers.

The heat insulating wall cover 104 and 105 may include a lower heatinsulating wall cover 104 of which bottom surface is opened, the lowerheat insulating wall cover 104 surrounding the outer circumferentialsurface of the heat insulating wall 102, and an upper heat insulatingwall cover 105 disposed at the top of the lower heat insulating wallcover 104, the upper heat insulating wall cover 105 covering the topsurface of the heat insulating wall 102.

A lower portion of the lower heat insulating wall cover 104 may beplaced on the base 100.

A lower portion of the upper heat insulating wall cover 105 may beplaced on the top end of the lower heat insulating wall cover 104.

The heat insulating wall cover 104 and 105 may protect the heatinsulating wall 102, and form a portion of the appearance of thebeverage maker.

The heat insulating wall cover 104 and 105 may surround the entirecircumferential surface of the heat insulating wall 102, and surroundonly a portion of the circumferential surface of the heat insulatingwall 102.

A side opening may be formed in a surface of the heat insulating wallcover 104 and 105, which faces the water tank 51. The extending tube ofthe evaporator 134 may be disposed to pass through the side opening. Theextending tube of the evaporator 134 may extend to an accommodationspace S5 shown in FIG. 4, which will be described later, by passingthrough the side opening of the heat insulating wall cover 104 and 105.

Meanwhile, the water tank 51 may be spaced apart from the base 100 atthe top side of the base 100. The water tank 51 may be spaced apart fromthe base 100 in the vertical direction. A space S3 in which at least oneof the compressor 131, the water supply heater 53, and the water supplypump 52 is to be accommodated may be formed between the water tank 51and the base 100. In addition, the water tank 51 may be spaced apartfrom the heat insulating wall 102 in the horizontal direction.

The beverage maker may include a water tank supporter 106 supporting thewater tank 51 to be spaced apart from the base 100. The water tanksupporter 106 may be disposed at the base 100, and support the watertank 51 to be spaced apart from the base 100 at the top side of the base100. The bottom end of water tank supporter 106 may be placed on thebase 100, and the water tank 51 may be placed at an upper portion of thewater tank supporter 106.

The water tank supporter 106 may be configured such that a plurality ofsupporter members are entirely coupled in a hollow cylindrical shape. Aside opening may be formed in a surface of the water tank supporter 106,which faces the heat insulating wall 102.

The water tank 51 may include an outer water tank 58, and an inner watertank 59 accommodated in the outer water tank 58, the inner water tank 59in which a space S4 having water accommodated therein is formed.

The outer water tank 58 may be placed at an upper portion of the watertank supporter 106, and the bottom surface of the outer water tank 58may be spaced apart from the top surface of the base 100. The space S3in which at least one of the compressor 131, the water supply heater 53,and the water supply pump 52 is to be accommodated may be formed betweenthe outer water tank 58 and the base 100.

The outer water tank 58 may have a vessel shape of which top surface isopened, and protect the inner water tank 59 by surrounding the outercircumferential and bottom surfaces of the inner water tank 59 locatedtherein.

The inner water tank 59 may be inserted into the outer water tank 58,and be supported by the outer water tank 58.

The beverage maker may further include a water tank protector 107disposed at the top side of the outer water tank 58 to surround an upperouter circumferential surface of the inner water tank 59. The water tankprotector 107 may be disposed to surround the entire or a portion of theupper outer circumferential surface of the inner water tank 59. Thewater tank protector 107 may be configured such that a plurality ofprotector members are coupled in a ring shape.

The beverage maker may further include a water tank lid 108 coupled tothe water tank 51 or the water tank protector 107 to cover the topsurface of the water tank 51. One side of the water tank lid 108 may berotatably connected to the water tank 51 or the water tank protector107. The water tank lid 108 may be separably mounted on the top surfaceof the water tank 51 or the water tank protector 107.

Meanwhile, at least one of the compressor 131, the water supply heater53, and the water supply pump 52 may be disposed between the base 100and the water tank 51.

The condenser 132 may be disposed to face at least one of the spacebetween the heat insulating wall 102 and the water tank 51, and the heatinsulating wall 102.

The supplier 3 may be disposed between the fermentation tank cover 114and the water tank 51. In this case, the beverage maker may be compactlymanufactured as compared with when the supplier 3 is located at aposition except the space between the fermentation tank cover 114 andthe water tank 51, and the supplier 3 may be protected by thefermentation tank cover 114 and the water tank 51.

As shown in FIG. 4, one side of the supplier 3 may be mounted on theouter water tank 58, and the other side of the supplier 3 may be mountedon the heat insulating wall cover 104 and 105. The supplier 3 may bevertically spaced apart from the base 100 at the top side of the base100.

The supplier 3 may include a capsule accommodation body 36 having thecapsule accommodation part in which the capsules C1, C2, and C3 shown inFIG. 1 are attachably/detachably accommodated, and a lid module 37covering the capsule accommodation part.

One side plate facing the water tank 51 among left and right side platesof the capsule accommodation body 36 may be mounted on a mounting partformed in the outer water tank 58 to be supported by the outer watertank 58.

The other side plate facing the fermentation tank cover 114 among theleft and right side plates of the capsule accommodation body 36 may bemounted on the heat insulating wall cover 104 and 105, and be supportedby the heat insulating wall cover 104 and 105.

The lid module 37 may include a lid 38 covering the capsuleaccommodation body 36. The lid 38 may be slidingly disposed at thecapsule accommodation body 36 or be rotatably connected to the capsuleaccommodation body 36. The lid 38 may be hinge-connected to the capsuleaccommodation body 36.

The supplier 3 may be installed to be located at an approximatelycentral upper portion of the beverage maker, and the user may easilymount or separate the capsules C1, C2, and C3 by upwardly rotating thelid module 37 of the supplier 3.

The accommodation space S5 in which a plurality of parts are to beaccommodated may be formed in the beverage maker. Here, theaccommodation space S5 may be a space that becomes a space between theheat insulating wall 102 and the water tank 51 in the left-rightdirection and becomes a space between the supplier 3 and the base 100 inthe top-bottom direction.

In the beverage maker, a plurality of parts are preferably accommodatedin the accommodation space S5. In this case, the beverage maker maybecome compact. The plurality of parts accommodated in the accommodationspace S5 may be protected by being surrounded by the heat insulatingwall 102, the water tank 51, the base 100, the supplier 3, the condenser132, and a center cover 66 which will be described later.

The opening/closing valves 313, 323, and 333 installed in the supplierentrance flow paths 311, 321, and 331 shown in FIG. 1 to open/close thesupplier entrance flow paths 311, 321, and 331, as shown in FIG. 4, maybe located under the capsule accommodation body 36.

The opening/closing valves 313, 323, and 333 may be installed in abracket 64 (see FIG. 3) disposed at the base 100.

The bracket 64 may be disposed to be located at a side of the heatinsulating wall 102, and the opening/closing valves 313, 323, and 333may be installed to be located between the heat insulating wall 102 andthe water tank 51 by the bracket 64. The opening/closing valves 313,323, and 333 may be located between the heat insulating wall 102 and thewater tank 51 in the left-right direction, and be located between thebase 100 and the supplier 3 in the top-bottom direction.

The beverage maker may further include the center cover 66 covering thefront of the opening/closing valves 313, 323, and 333.

The center cover 66, as shown in FIG. 2, may be disposed to coverbetween the heat insulating wall cover 104 and the water tank supporter106 in the left-right direction and cover between the supplier 3 and thebase 100 in the top-bottom direction. The rear surface of the centercover 66 may face the condenser 132 in the front-rear direction, andprotect a plurality of parts.

In addition, a front portion of the supplier 3 may be placed on the topend of the center cover 66, and the supplier 3 may be supported by thecenter cover 66.

Meanwhile, the beverage extraction valve 62 may be mounted to the centercover 66. The beverage extraction valve 62 may be mounted to protrudeforward from the center cover 66. The beverage extraction valve 62 maybe mounted to the center cover 66 to be located at the top side of thebeverage container 101.

The beverage maker may include a controller 109 that controls thebeverage maker.

The controller 109 may include a main PCB 109C.

The controller 109 may include a wireless communication element thatperforms wireless communication with a wireless communication devicesuch as a remote controller or a portable terminal. The wirelesscommunication element, such as a Wi-Fi module or a Bluetooth module, isnot limited to its kind as long as it can perform wireless communicationwith a remote controller or a wireless communication device. Thewireless communication element may be mounted on the main PCB 109C or adisplay PCB which will be described later.

The controller 109 may include an input unit that receives a commandrelated to the manufacturing of the beverage maker. The input unit mayinclude a rotary knob 109A and a rotary switch 109B switched by therotary knob 109A. A knob hole 106A through which the rotary knob 109Arotatably passes may be formed at one side of the water tank supporter106. The rotary knob 109A may be disposed such that at least one portionof the rotary knob 109A is exposed to the outside. The rotary switch109B may be mounted on the main PCB 109C. The input unit may include atouch screen that receives a command of the user in a touch scheme. Thetouch screen may be provided in a display 109D which will be describedlater. The user may input a command through the remote controller or thewireless communication device, and the controller 109 may receive thecommand of the user through the wireless communication element.

The controller 109 may include the display 109D that displays variousinformation of the beverage maker. The display 109D may include adisplay element such as LCD, LED, or OLED. The display 109D may includethe display PCB on which the display element is mounted. The display PCBmay be mounted on the main PCB 109C or be connected to the main PCB 109Cthrough a separate connector.

The display 109D may display information input by the input unit.

The display 109D may display information of the beverage brewing pack 12and information on a fermentation time of beverage ingredients, abeverage completion time, or the like. The fermentation time of thebeverage ingredients or the beverage completion time may be changeddepending on kinds of the beverage ingredients contained in the beveragebrewing pack 12. If beverage brewing pack 12 approaches the fermentationtank assembly 11, the controller 109 may acquire information from thebeverage brewing pack 12 through a communication module such as NFC.

In some implementations, a compact chip 109E (see FIG. 5) in whichvarious information related to the beverage ingredients may be attachedin the shape of a sticker, etc. to the beverage brewing pack 12, and thechip 109E and an NFC tag 109F (see FIG. 5) that transmits/receives datamay be installed in the beverage maker. In such implementations, the NFCtag 109F may be mounted on the fermentation tank assembly 11, the mainPCB 109C, or the display PCB. When the NFC tag 109F is mounted on thefermentation tank assembly 11, the NFC tag 109F may be mounted on theopening 111 of the fermentation tank 112 or the fermentation tank cover114. The NFC tag 109F may be connected to the controller 109 through adata line.

If the beverage brewing pack 12 is accommodated in the fermentation tankassembly 11, the controller 109 may acquire information of the beveragebrewing pack 12 from a chip provided in the beverage brewing pack 12.

The controller 109 may transmit the information acquired from the NFCtag 109F to the display 109D or the wireless communication device, andthe display 109D or the wireless communication device may display kindsof beverage ingredients, a total fermentation time, a beveragecompletion time, or the like.

The display 109D may display various information related to brewing ofbeverage while the beverage is being brewed. The controller 109 may beconnected to the temperature sensor 16. The controller 109 may transmitinformation on a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 16 to thedisplay 109D or the wireless communication device, and the display 109Dor the communication device may display the temperature sensed by thetemperature sensor 16 through a numerical value, a graph, or the like.

The display 109D may display a completion degree of the beverage, anamount of carbonic acid contained in the beverage, or the like through anumerical value, a graph, or the like while the beverage is beingbrewed.

The display 109D may differently display a completion degree of thebeverage in primary fermentation and a completion degree of the beveragein secondary fermentation. The amount of carbonic acid in the beverageof the beverage brewing pack 12 may be gradually increased as timeelapses. The controller 109 may detect a pressure in the beveragebrewing pack 12 through the pressure sensor 72, and detect a temperatureof the fermentation tank assembly 11 through the temperature sensor 16.The controller 109 may calculate an amount of carbonic acid using thedetected pressure and temperature according to a preset equation ortable. The controller 109 may transmit information on the calculatedamount of carbonic acid to the display 109D or the wirelesscommunication device, and at least one of the display 109D and thewireless communication device may display the calculated amount ofcarbonic acid.

The display 109D may display a remaining amount of the beverage afterthe beverage is completely brewed.

If the secondary fermentation which will be described later is ended,the controller 109 may determine that the beverage has been completelybrewed.

The controller 109 may add up at least one of a time at which a microswitch 630 which will be described later is on, a time at which the airpump 152 is driven, and a time at which the main valve 9 is on after thebeverage is completely brewed. The controller 109 may calculate anextraction amount of the beverage according to the added-up time, andcalculate a remaining amount of the beverage from the calculatedextraction amount. The controller 109 may transmit information on theremaining amount of the beverage to the display 109D or the wirelesscommunication device, and at least one of the display 109D and thewireless communication device may display the remaining amount of thebeverage.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating an example of an inside of thefermentation tank assembly of the beverage maker according to someimplementations. FIG. 6 is a sectional view when the opening shown inFIG. 5 is opened.

An upper through-hole 105A disposed such that a portion of thefermentation tank cover 114 passes therethrough may be formed at anupper portion of the heat insulating wall cover 104 and 105. The upperthrough-hole 105A may be formed to be opened in the top-bottom directionin the upper heat insulating wall cover 105.

The fermentation tank 112 may include the seat part 116 on which anupper portion of the beverage brewing pack 12 is mounted.

The seat part 116 may include a sealing member supporting bump 117protruding from the fermentation tank 112 and a fermentation tanksealing member 118 placed on the sealing member supporting bump 117.

The sealing member supporting bump 117 may protrude in a ring shape inthe opening 111.

The fermentation tank sealing member 118 may be placed on the topsurface of the sealing member supporting bump 117.

A circumferential portion of the beverage brewing pack 12 may be placedon the top surface of the fermentation tank sealing member 118, and theinside of the fermentation tank 112 may be sealed by the beveragebrewing pack 12 and the fermentation tank sealing member 118.

An inserting guide 119B into an inserting projection 119A formed at thefermentation tank cover 114 is rotatably inserted may be formed in theopening 111 of the fermentation tank 112. The inserting guide 119B maybe formed at a portion of the opening 111 of the fermentation tank 112.The inserting guide 119B may include a vertical guide groove 119Cthrough which the inserting projection 119A passes approximately in thetop-bottom direction, and a horizontal guide groove 119D formed long inthe circumferential direction along the opening 111 at a lower portionof the vertical guide groove 119C to guide movement of the insertingprojection 119A.

The inserting projection 119A may be protrude in the horizontaldirection at a position capable of facing the opening 111 of thefermentation tank 112 when the fermentation tank cover 114 is closed.

The inserting guide 119B may be formed in a recessed shape at a higherposition than the sealing member supporting bump 117.

A plurality of ribs 120 that allow a flexible container 420 of thebeverage ingredient pack 12, which will be described later, to be spacedapart from the inner surface of the fermentation tank 112 may protrudefrom the inner wall of the fermentation tank 112. As ingredients arefermented, gas may be generated in the beverage ingredient pack 12, andthe flexible container 420 may be expanded by the gas in the beverageingredient pack 12. In the beverage maker, when a beverage product isextracted, air supplied from the beverage extraction pressurizing device15 shown in FIG. 6 may be introduced between the flexible container 420and the inner surface of the fermentation tank 112, and the plurality ofribs 120 formed on the inner wall of the fermentation tank 112 mayassist smooth flow of the air supplied to the inside of the fermentationtank 112 from the beverage extraction pressurizing device 15.

The plurality of ribs 120 may be formed long in the top-bottomdirection. The plurality of ribs 120 may be spaced apart from oneanother in the circumferential direction of the fermentation tank 112along the inner surface of the fermentation tank 112.

The plurality of ribs 120, referring to FIG. 4, may be formed at each ofupper and lower portions of the inner wall of the fermentation tank 112.

In some implementations, the beverage maker 1 may include at least twochannels that connect to the beverage ingredient pack 12 mounted insidethe fermentation tank assembly 11. These channels may supply or extractliquids or gases to or from the beverage ingredient pack 12. Forexample, as shown in the example of FIG. 5, one such channel may includeat least the main tube 220 and/or the main flow path part 230. Thischannel may connect to the inner hollow part 430 of the beverageingredient pack 12. Another such channel, also shown in the example ofFIG. 5, may include at least the sub-tube 290 and/or the sub-flow pathpart 280. This channel may connect to the gas discharge flow path 450 ofbeverage ingredient pack 12. In the example of FIG. 5, both of thesechannels are formed through the fermentation tank cover 114, althoughimplementations are not limited thereto.

Hereinafter, an example of the fermentation tank cover 114 in FIG. 5will be described in more detail.

The fermentation tank cover 114 may include an outer body 200, an innerbody 210 rotatably disposed at the outer body 200, and a lower bodyassembly 240 coupled to a lower portion of the inner body 210. The lowerbody assembly 240 may include a main flow path part 230 to which themain tube 220 is connected. An inner space S6 may be formed in at leastone of the inner body 210 and the lower body assembly 240. In addition,at least one portion of the main tube 220 may be accommodated in theinner space S6. The main tube 220 may be connected to the main flow pathpart 230 in the inner space S6 of the main tube 220.

The lower body assembly 240 may include a lower body 250 coupled to theinner body 210, and a flow path body 260 in which the main flow pathpart 230 is formed.

The outer body 200 may form an appearance of the circumferential surfaceof the fermentation tank cover 114. The fermentation tank cover 114 maybe hinge-connected to the fermentation tank 112 or the heat insulatingwall cover 105. In this case, the outer body 200 may be hinge-connectedto the fermentation tank 112 or the heat insulating wall cover 105. Theouter body 200 may be mounted on the top surface of the heat insulatingcover 105. The outer body 200 is preferably connected to the heatinsulating wall cover 105 by a hinge.

An inner body accommodation space S7 in which the inner body 210 can berotatably accommodated may be formed in the outer body 200.

The outer body 200 may surround the outer circumference of the innerbody 210 accommodated in the inner body accommodation space S7, andprotect the outer circumference of the inner body 210.

The inner body 210 may be disposed in the inner body accommodation spaceS7 to rotate about a vertical center axis.

The inner body 210 may include an inner frame 212 rotatably disposed inthe outer body 200, the inner frame 212 having the inner space S6 formedat a lower portion thereof.

The inner body 210 may include a handle 214 disposed at the top surfaceof the inner frame 212. The user may rotate the inner body 210 about thevertical center axis of the inner body 210 while grasping the handle214. When the inner body 210 is rotated, the lower body assembly 240 maybe rotated together with the inner body 210.

The inner frame 212 may include an inner upper body part 215, an innerlower body part 216 protruding from the bottom surface of the innerupper body part 215, the inner lower body part 216 having the innerspace S6 formed therein, and an outer hollow part 217 protruding at theouter circumference of the inner upper body part 215, the outer hollowpart 217 being spaced apart from the inner lower body part 216.

A tube through-hole 218 through which the main tube 220 and a sub-tube290 which will be described later pass may be formed in the inner frame212. The tube through-hole 218 may be a hole through which the main tube220 and the sub-tube 290, extending to the outside from the inner spaceS6, pass. The tube through-hole 218 is preferably formed at one side ofthe inner lower body part 216.

The inner upper body part 215 may include a handle accommodation groovepart 215A in which at least one portion of the handle 214 isaccommodated. The handle accommodation groove part 215A may be formed ina downwardly recessed shape, and be formed larger than the handle 214.

The inner lower body part 216 may protrude in a hollow cylindrical shapefrom the bottom surface of the inner upper body part 215. The innerspace S6 may be formed in the inner lower body part 216 such that thebottom surface of the inner space S6 is opened.

The outer hollow part 217 may be formed to protrude in the lowerdirection at the outer circumference of the inner upper body part 215.The outer hollow part 217 may be configured as a hollow cylindrical partformed larger than the inner lower body part 216. The outer hollow part217 may be in surface contact with the inner circumferential surface ofthe outer body 200, and be supported by the outer body 200.

Meanwhile, the outer body 200 may include an outer frame 204 and anouter base 206 coupled to the outer frame 204, the outer base 206including an inner body through-hole 205 through which the inner body210 passes.

The outer body 200 may include an inner hollow part 207 having a smallersize than the outer hollow part 217, the inner hollow part 207 facingthe outer hollow part 217. A return spring accommodation space S8 inwhich a return spring 300 which will be described later is accommodatedmay be formed between the inner hollow part 207 and the outer hollowpart 217.

The inner hollow part 207 may protrude from the top surface of the outerbase 206. The inner hollow part 207 may be formed to have a smaller sizethan the outer hollow part 217 of the inner body 210.

The main tube 220 and the main flow path part 230 may constitute themain flow path connecting part 115 shown in FIG. 1. The main tube 220may constitute a portion of the main flow path 2 shown in FIG. 1, andthe main flow path part 230 may constitute the main flow path connectingpart 115 shown in FIG. 2.

The main tube 220 may extend to the outside of the fermentation tankcover 114 through the tube through-hole 218 formed in the fermentationtank cover 114.

The main flow path part 230 may include an upper flow path part 232protruding to the inner space S6 at an upper portion of the flow pathbody 260, and a lower flow path part 234 protruding toward the space S1of the fermentation tank 112 at a lower portion of the flow path body260.

A lower portion of the main flow path part 230 may be in contact with apack main flow path formed in the beverage brewing pack 12, which willbe described later. The main flow path part 230 may communicate with thepack main flow path of the beverage brewing pack 12.

The lower body assembly 240 may be coupled to the inner frame 212 toseal the inner space S6.

An inner frame insertion groove part 242 into which a bottom end of theinner frame 212 is inserted may be formed in the lower body assembly240.

The lower body 250 may be coupled to a lower portion of the inner body210, and at least one portion of the lower body 250 may be inserted intothe opening 111.

The inserting projection 119A sliding along the inserting guide 119Bformed in the opening 111 of the fermentation tank 112 may be formed atthe outer circumferential surface of the lower body 250.

The flow path body 260 may be installed at the lower body 250.

The fermentation tank cover 114 may include a lower sealing member 270mounted to at least one of the lower body 250 and the flow path body260, the lower sealing member 270 being adhered closely to the beveragebrewing pack 12.

A communication path S9 that guides gas extracted from the beveragebrewing pack 12 to a sub-flow path part 280 which will be describedlater may be formed in the lower sealing member 270. The lower sealingmember 270 may be a hollow elastic member having the communication pathS9 formed therein.

A portion of the main flow path part 230 may protrude to thecommunication path S9, and the lower sealing member 270 may protect themain flow path part 230.

Meanwhile, the sub-flow path part 280 communicating with thecommunication path S9 may be formed in the vicinity of the main flowpath part 230.

The sub-flow path part 280 may be formed in the flow path body 260.

The sub-tube 290 that guides gas passing through the sub-flow path part280 may be connected to the sub-flow path part 280. At least one portionof the sub-tube 290 may be accommodated in the inner space S6. Thesub-tube 290 may extend to the outside of the fermentation tank cover114 through the tube through-hole 218 formed in the fermentation tankcover 114.

The gas extraction flow path 71 shown in FIG. 1 may be connected to thesub-tube 290, and the sub-tube 290 may constitute a portion of the gasextraction flow path 71 shown in FIG. 1.

The pressure sensor 72 shown in FIG. 1 may sense a pressure of the gaspassing through the sub-tube 290.

When the gas extraction valve 73 shown in FIG. 1 is opened, gas in thebeverage brewing pack 12 may sequentially pass through a gas dischargeflow path 450 formed in the beverage brewing pack 12, the communicationpath S9 of the lower sealing member 270, the sub-flow path part 280, andthe sub-tube 290 and then flow in the pressure sensor 72. The pressuresensor 72 may sense a pressure of the gas in the beverage brewing pack12 in a state in which the fermentation tank cover 114 is not opened.

The fermentation tank cover 114 may further include the return spring300 connected to the outer body 200 and the inner body 210. One end ofthe return spring 300 may be connected to the outer body 200, and theother end of the return spring 300 may be connected to the inner body210. The return spring 300 may be configured as a coil spring. When theuser holds and turns the handle 214 of the inner body 210, the returnspring 300 may be elastically deformed, and a return force that rotatesthe inner body 210 in the opposite direction may be applied to the innerbody 210.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the beverage ingredient pack 12may include an interface portion 410 that provides an interface with thefermentation tank cover 114 in a state in which the fermentation tankcover 114 is closed. In addition to the interface portion 410, thebeverage ingredient pack 12 may include the flexible container 420connected to the interface portion 410, the flexible container 420accommodating beverage ingredients therein, a main flow path body 440provided in the interface portion 410, the main flow path body 440having an inner hollow part 430 formed therein. The gas discharge flowpath 450 through which the gas in the beverage ingredient pack 12 isdischarged may be formed in the beverage ingredient pack 12.

A sealing member mounting groove part 412 on which a lower portion ofthe lower sealing member 270 is inserted and mounted may be formed atthe top surface of the interface portion 410. The sealing membermounting groove part 412 may be formed in a shape recessed downward fromthe top surface of the interface portion 410. The sealing membermounting groove part 412 may be formed in a ring shape at the topsurface of the interface portion 410. The bottom end of the lowersealing member 270 as a hollow elastic member may be placed on thesealing member mounting groove part 412.

When the beverage ingredient pack 12 is inserted into the fermentationtank 112 to be mounted on the seat part 116, the inner hollow part 430of the beverage ingredient pack 12 and the gas discharge flow path 450of the beverage ingredient pack 12 may face upward. The inner hollowpart 430 of the beverage ingredient pack 12 and the gas discharge flowpath 450 of the beverage ingredient pack 12 may be exposed to the insideof the opening 111 of the fermentation tank 112.

The fermentation tank cover 114 may fall down to cover the opening 111of the fermentation tank 112 after the beverage ingredient pack 12 ismounted in the fermentation tank 112. When the inner body 210 isrotatably inserted into the opening 111 by a manipulation of the handle214, the lower sealing member 270 of the fermentation tank cover 114 maybe mounted on the sealing member mounting groove part 412. The lowersealing member 270 of the fermentation tank cover 114 may surround theupper outer circumference of the main flow path body 440.

When the fermentation tank cover 114 is closed and inserted into thefermentation tank 112 while covering the opening 111 of the fermentationtank 112 as described above, a lower portion of the main flow path part230 of the flow path body 260 may communicate with the inner hollow part430 of the beverage ingredient pack 12. In addition, when thefermentation tank cover 114 is closed, the gas discharge flow path 450of the beverage ingredient pack 12, the communication path S9 of thelower sealing member 270, and the sub-flow path part 280 of the flowpath body 260 may sequentially communicate with each other.

As such, in a state in which the fermentation tank cover 114 closes theopening 111 of the fermentation tank 112, the supply path along whichthe main tube 220, the main flow path part 230 of the flow path body260, and the inner hollow part 430 of the beverage ingredient pack 12are sequentially continued may be formed in the fermentation tankassembly 11. In addition, a beverage extraction path along which theinner hollow part 430 of the beverage ingredient pack 12, the main flowpath part 230 of the flow path body 260, and the main tube 220 aresequentially continued may be formed in the fermentation tank assembly11. In addition, a gas discharge path along which the gas discharge flowpath 450 of the beverage ingredient pack 12, the communication path S9of the lower sealing member 270, the sub-flow path part 280 of the flowpath body 260, and the sub-tube 290 are sequentially continued may beformed in the fermentation tank assembly 11.

In a beverage maker, the supply of ingredient, the extraction ofbeverage, and the calculation of a fermentation degree of the beveragecan be performed in a state in which the fermentation tank cover 114 isnot opened but closed.

FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating an example of the beverage ingredientpack of the beverage maker according to some implementations. FIG. 8 isa sectional view illustrating the example of the beverage ingredientpack of the beverage maker according to some implementations.

The beverage ingredient pack 12 may include an interface portion 410including a mounting part 411 mounted in the fermentation tank assembly11 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the interface portion 410 having an outerhollow part 413 protruding therefrom; the flexible container 420 coupledto the interface portion 410; the main flow path body 440 including theinner hollow part 430 inserted and accommodated in the outer hollow part413, and the main flow path body 440 having a handle part 441 located atthe top of the outer hollow part 413; and a tubular portion, such asflexible tube 460, connected to the inner hollow part 430, the flexibletube 460 protruding to the inside of the flexible container 420. In someimplementations, the flexible tube 460 may be part of the interfaceportion 410.

The external diameter of the interface portion 410 may be smaller thanthe internal diameter of the opening 111 of the fermentation tank 112shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and be greater than the internal diameter of theseat part 116 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The mounting part 411 may be placed and mounted on the seat part 116shown in FIG. 6. The mounting part 411 may be a part protruding to havea thinner thickness than the other part along an outer circumference410A of the interface portion 410. The mounting part 411 may protrude inthe radial direction from the interface portion 410. The mounting part411 may be formed in a ring shape along the outer circumference 410A ofthe interface portion 410.

The beverage ingredient pack 12, as shown in FIG. 5, may be easilymounted in the fermentation tank 112 through a simple operation ofinserting the flexible container 420 into the space S1 of thefermentation tank 112 and placing the mounting part 411 on the seat part116 shown in FIG. 5.

A recessed part may be formed at the top surface of the interfaceportion 410. The recessed part formed at the top surface of theinterface portion 410 may be concavely recessed at the top surface ofthe interface portion 410 such that a portion of a finger of the user iseasily inserted thereinto. The recessed part formed at the top surfaceof the interface portion 410 may be the sealing member mounting groovepart 412 shown in FIG. 5. The recessed part may assist the user toeasily grasp the handle part 441 of the main flow path body 440 when thebeverage ingredient pack 12 is carried. When the beverage ingredientpack 12 is mounted in the fermentation tank 112 as shown in FIG. 5, therecessed part may be in contact with the lower sealing member 270 of thefermentation tank cover 114. Hereinafter, for convenience, the recessedpart will be described using the same reference numeral as the sealingmember mounting groove part.

The outer hollow part 413 may protrude in the upper direction at thecenter of the interface portion 410.

The outer hollow part 413 may protrude in the upper direction from abottom surface 412A of the recessed part 412. The outer hollow part 413may protrude higher than a height H1 of the recessed part 412. A heightH2 of the outer hollow part 413 may be higher than the height H1 of therecessed part 412. The outer hollow part 413 may support the handle part441 of the main flow path body 440 such that the handle part 441 islocated higher than a top surface 414 of the interface portion 410.

The flexible container 420 may be joined with the interface portion 410to be integrated with the interface portion 410. A portion of theflexible container 420 may be inserted into the interface portion 410.

The interface portion 410 may be configured by joining a plurality ofmembers, and the flexible container 420 may be fixed to the interfaceportion 410 by joining a plurality of members in a state in whichportions of the flexible container 420 is inserted between the pluralityof members.

The interface portion 410 may include a main body 415 having themounting part 411 and the outer hollow part 413, formed therein, and ajoining body 416 joined with the main body 415, the joining body 416being joined with the flexible container 420.

The joining body 416 may include a joining part 417 joined with theflexible container 420, the joining part 417 disposed under the mainbody 415, and a center hollow part 418 inserted into the outer hollowpart 413 at the joining part 417, the center hollow part 413 joined withthe main body 415.

The top surface of the joining part 417 may face the bottom surface ofthe main body 415. The joining part 417 may include a ring-shaped platebody in which the flexible container 420 is joined with the top surfacethereof.

When the inner hollow part 430 of the main flow path body 440 isinserted into the outer hollow part 413, the center hollow part 418 maybe located between the inner circumferential surface of the outer hollowpart 413 and the outer circumferential surface of the inner hollow part430.

The inner hollow part 430 may include an upper hollow part 431 disposedin the outer hollow part 413, and a tube connecting part 432 protrudingat a lower portion of the upper hollow part 431, the tube connectingpart 432 having a smaller diameter than the upper hollow part 431, thetube connecting part 432 being connected to the flexible tube 460.

The inner hollow part 430 may be separably inserted into the interfaceportion 410. When the inner hollow part 430 is inserted into theinterface portion 410, the inner hollow part 430 may be inserted intothe interface portion 410 to be in surface contact with the outer body200 and the center hollow part 418. The inner hollow part 430 may beinserted into the interface portion 410 to be capable of being escapedfrom the interface portion 410 when the user strongly pulls the handlepart 441 in the upper direction.

The main flow path body 440 may be separated from the interface portion410. When a pack main flow path P10 is blocked or when the flexible tube460 is not normally spread or bent, the main flow path body 440 may beseparated from the interface portion 410. The user may take an action ofreplacing the main flow path body 440 or the flexible tube 460.

The pack main flow path P10 may be formed in the inner hollow part 430.The pack main flow path P10 may be formed long in the top-bottomdirection in the inner hollow part 430. The pack main flow path P10 maybe formed at the upper hollow part 431 and the tube connecting part 432.The pack main flow path P10 may be formed long in the top-bottomdirection from the top end of the upper hollow part 431 to the bottomend of the tube connecting part 432. The pack main flow path P10 may beformed such that an area of the upper hollow part 431 is wider than thatof the tube connecting part 432.

At least one gas discharge flow path 450 may be formed in the vicinityof the pack main flow path P10 in the upper hollow part 431. A pluralityof gas discharge flow paths 450 may be formed in parallel to the packmain flow path P10 between the pack main flow path P10 and the outercircumferential surface of the upper hollow part 431.

The tube connecting part 432 may include a flexible tubeattaching/detaching part 433 to/from which the flexible tube 460 isattached/detached.

The handle part 441 of the main flow path body 440 may be formed toprotrude at an upper portion of the inner hollow part 430. The handlepart 441 may be formed in a hollow disk shape at the upper portion ofthe inner hollow part 430. The user may carry the beverage ingredientpack 12 while grasping the mounting part 411 or the handle part 441. Anouter diameter D1 of the handle part 441 may be greater than that D2 ofthe outer hollow part 413. The bottom surface of the handle part 441 maybe placed on the top end of the outer hollow part 413. The handle part412 has a smaller size than the recessed part 412. The handle part 441may be spaced apart from the top surface 414 of the interface portion410 and a circumferential surface 412B of the recessed part 412.

The user may grasp the handle part 441 of the main flow path body 440while putting a finger of the user in the recessed part 412, and carrythe beverage ingredient pack 12 to the upper side of the fermentationtank 112 shown in FIG. 6. The user may insert the flexible container 420into the space S1 of the fermentation tank 112, and place the mountingpart 411 on the seat part 116 as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, beverageingredient pack 12 can be simply mounted in the fermentation tank 112.

Meanwhile, when the user extracts the beverage ingredient pack 12 fromthe fermentation tank 112, the user may grasp the handle part 441 of themain flow path body 440 with a hand of the user by putting a hand of theuser in the opening of the fermentation tank 112, and upwardly lift thebeverage ingredient pack 12. The beverage ingredient pack 12 may beescaped to the upper side of the opening 111 of the fermentation tank112. Thus, the beverage ingredient pack 12 can be easily extracted fromthe fermentation tank 112.

The flexible tube 460 may guide water or air guided to the pack mainflow path P10 to a deep position in the flexible container 420, andbeverage contained at a lower portion of the flexible container 420 mayeasily flow in the pack main flow path P10 through the flexible tube460.

The flexible tube 460 may be roundly curved or bent at least once in theflexible container 420. The flexible tube 460 may be curved or bentbefore the beverage ingredient pack 12 is inserted into the fermentationtank 112. When air or hot water is supplied to the pack main flow pathP10, the flexible tube 460 may be spread long in the length direction bythe air or hot water.

When the flexible container 420 is maximally expanded, the flexible tube460 may have a length where the bottom end of the flexible tube 460 isspaced apart from the inner bottom end of the flexible container 420.

The bottom end of the flexible tube 460 may be sharply formed, and havea shape of which portion is opened in the circumferential directionthereof.

The flexible tube 460 may have a lower hardness than the main flow pathbody 440. The flexible tube 460 is preferably connected to the tubeconnecting part 432 of the main flow path body 440 after the flexibletube 460 is manufactured separately from the main flow path body 440.

The flexible tube 460 is not connected to the main flow path body 440,but a hollow part through which a fluid can pass may integrally protrudelong at a lower portion of the main flow path body 440. However, in thiscase, the compactness of the beverage ingredient pack 12 may not beeasily performed, or it may be inconvenience for the user to grasp thehandle part 441 with a hand of the user, depending on the hardness ofthe main flow path body 440. More specifically, the hardness of theentire main flow path body 440 may be formed low such that the hollowpart can be curved or bent. In this case, when the user grasps thehandle part 441 of a hand of a user, the handle part 441 may also becurved or bent by the hand of the user. In addition, it may not be easyfor the user to grasp the handle part 441 with the hand of the user.

On the contrary, the hardness of the entire main flow path body 440including the hollow part may be formed high such that the hardness ofthe handle part 441 increases. In this case, the main flow path body 440may have a structure in which the hollow part is not curved or bent, andthe compactness of the beverage ingredient pack 12 may not be easilyperformed.

That is, the flexible tube 460 is preferably connected to the main flowpath body 440 after the main flow path body 440 and the flexible tube460 are manufactured separately from each other. The user can easilygrasp the handle part having a high hardness with a hand of the user,and the flexible tube 460 having a relatively low hardness can assistthe compactness of the beverage ingredient pack 12 as the hollow part iscurved or bent in the flexible tube 460.

FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating another example of the beverageingredient pack of the beverage maker according to some implementations.FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating the another example of thebeverage ingredient pack of the beverage maker according to someimplementations.

In the beverage ingredient pack 12 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a joiningposition of the flexible container 420 may be different from that in theexample of the beverage ingredient pack shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and aconfiguration of a joining body 416′ may be different from that in thebeverage ingredient pack shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The joining body 416′ of the beverage ingredient pack 12 shown in FIGS.9 and 10 may include a joining part 417′ disposed on the bottom surfaceof the main body 415, and the joining part 417′ having the flexiblecontainer 420 joined therewith, and the center hollow part inserted intothe outer hollow part 413 at the joining part 417′. The joining part417′ may include a hollow body of which top surface faces the bottomsurface of the main body 415, the hollow body having the flexiblecontainer 420 is joined with the circumferential surface thereof.

In the beverage ingredient pack shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the othercomponents except the joining body 416′ are identical or similar tothose in the example of the beverage ingredient pack shown in FIGS. 7and 8. Therefore, like reference numerals are used for like components,and their descriptions are omitted.

The joining part 417′ shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 may has a higher heightthan the tube connecting part 432, and surround the outer circumferenceof the tube connecting part 432. A gap G into which the flexible tube460 is inserted may be formed between the outer circumferential surfaceof the joining part 417′ and the tube connecting part 432.

The flexible tube 460 may be inserted into the joining part 417′ to beconnected to the tube connecting part 432.

The joining part 417′ shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 may protect a connectingpart between the tube connecting part 432 and the flexible tube 460 andthe outer circumference of the tube connecting part 432 by surroundingthe connecting part between the tube connecting part 432 and theflexible tube 460 and the outer circumference of the tube connectingpart 432. Thus, damage of the tube connecting part 432 can be minimized.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view illustrating still another example of thebeverage ingredient pack of the beverage maker according to someimplementations.

In the beverage ingredient pack shown in FIG. 11, a protruding directionof an outer hollow part 413″ and a detailed shape of the outer hollowpart 413″ may be different from those in the outer hollow part 413 ofthe interface portion 410 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In addition, aninterface portion 410″ may include a main body 415″ and a connectingbody 416″, which are different from those of the interface portion 410shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

In the beverage ingredient pack of this implementation, configurationsand operations of the flexible container, the main flow path body 440,and the flexible tube 460 except the interface portion 410″ areidentical to those in the beverage ingredient pack shown in FIGS. 9 and10. Therefore, like reference numerals are used for like components, andtheir descriptions are omitted.

The interface portion 410″ may include the mounting part 411, therecessed part 412, and the outer hollow part 413″, and the mounting part411 and the recessed part 412 are identical to those in the beverageingredient pack shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Therefore, like referencenumerals are used for like components, and their descriptions areomitted.

The outer hollow part 413″ may protrude in the lower direction at thecenter of the interface portion 410″. The outer hollow part 413″ mayprotrude in the lower direction under the recessed part 412.

The outer hollow part 413″ may support the main flow path body 440 suchthat the handle part 441 of the main flow path body 440 is locatedhigher than the bottom surface 412A of the recessed part 412 as thehandle part 441 is located lower than the top surface 414 of theinterface portion 410″.

The outer hollow part 413″ may be formed to be elastically deformed. Theouter hollow part 413″ may include a first hollow part 413A into whichthe inner hollow part 430 of the main flow path body 440 is inserted, asecond hollow part 413B formed larger than the first hollow part 413A,the second hollow part 413B surrounding the outer circumference of thefirst hollow part 413A, and a connecting part 413C connecting the firsthollow part 413A and the second hollow part 413B.

If necessary, the first hollow part 413A may be elastically deformed ina state in which the first hollow part 413A is connected to the secondhollow part 413B through the connecting part 413C.

The interface portion 410″ may include the main body 415″ in which themounting part 411 and the outer hollow part 413″ are formed, and theconnecting body 416″ connected to the main body 415″ and the flexiblecontainer 420.

The connecting body 416″ may include a lower hollow part 418″surrounding the outer circumference of the outer hollow part 413″.

The lower hollow part 418″ may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape.The lower hollow part 418″ may be attached/detached to/from the mainbody 415″.

A lower hollow part inserting groove part 416A into which an upperportion of the lower hollow part 418″ is inserted may be formed in themain body 415″. The lower hollow part inserting groove part 416A may beformed to be recessed in the vicinity of the outer hollow part 413″ ofthe main body 415″.

The connecting body 416″ may be separably connected to the main body415″.

A holding bump 413D may protrude from the outer surface of the outerhollow part 413″, and a holding projection 418A mounted on the holdingbump 413D to be held by the holding bump 413D may be formed at the innercircumferential surface of the lower hollow part 418″.

When an upper portion of the connecting body 416″ is inserted into thelower hollow part inserting groove part 416A, the holding projection418A may be placed on the holding bump 413D to be held by the holdingbump 413D. If an external force is not applied to the connecting body416″, a state in which the connecting body 416″ is coupled to the mainbody 415″ may be maintained.

The connecting body 416″ may further include a joining part 417″protruding at a lower portion of the lower hollow part 418″, the joiningpart 417″ having the flexible container 420 joined with at least one ofthe top and bottom surfaces thereof.

The flexible container 420 may be thermally fused to the top or bottomsurface of the joining part 417″.

The top surface of the joining part 417″ may face the bottom surface ofthe main body 415″. The joining part 417″ may include a ring-shapedplate body having the flexible container 420 joined with the top surfacethereof.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view illustrating the beverage extraction valveof the beverage maker according to some implementations.

The beverage extraction valve 62 may include a valve body 600 in which avalve flow path 611 connected to the beverage extraction flow path 61shown in FIG. 1 is formed; a lifting valve body 610 disposed in thevalve body 600 to move up/down, the lifting valve body opening/closingthe valve flow path 611; a rotating lever 620 rotatably connected to anupper portion of the lifting valve body 610 to moves up/down the liftingvalve body 610 when the rotating lever 620 is rotated; and the microswitch 630 switched by the lifting valve body 610. The beverageextraction valve 62 may further include a valve spring 640 built in thevalve body 600 to elastically pressurize the lifting valve body 610 inthe lower direction.

The valve body 600 may be mounted to the center cover 66 shown in FIG.2. The valve flow path 611 may include a horizontal flow path 612 formedlong in the front-rear direction along the valve body 600, and avertical flow path 613 formed to be bent in the lower direction at thefront end of the horizontal flow path 612. Beverage guided to thebeverage extraction flow path 61 shown in FIG. 1 may sequentially passthrough the horizontal flow path 612 and the vertical flow path 613 whenthe horizontal flow path 612 is opened, and then drop downward from thevertical flow path 613. The valve body 600 may include a horizontal partin which the horizontal flow path 612 is formed, and a vertical partformed perpendicular to the horizontal part, the vertical part havingthe vertical flow path 613 formed therein.

The lifting valve body 610 may be disposed to move up/down in the valveflow path 611, particularly, the vertical flow path 613. The liftingvalve body 610 may move down to a height at which the horizontal flowpath 612 is blocked, and move up to a height at which the horizontalflow path 612 is opened. The lifting valve body 610 may be disposed suchthat an upper portion of the lifting valve body 610 protrudes upward ofthe valve body 600. A manipulating projection 614 that allows the microswitch to be point-contacted when the lifting valve body 610 moves upmay protrude at the lifting valve body 610.

The rotating lever 620 may be connected to the upper portion of thelifting valve body 610 by a hinge 621. The rotating lever 620 may beerected in the vertical direction or laid in the horizontal direction ina state in which the rotating lever 620 is connected to the liftingvalve body 610.

When the rotating lever 620 is laid in the horizontal direction, thelifting valve body 610 may move up to open the horizontal flow path 612.When the rotating lever 620 is erected in the vertical direction, thelifting valve body 610 may move down to close the horizontal flow path612.

The micro switch 630 may be connected to the controller 109 shown inFIG. 3, and the controller 109 may control the beverage maker accordingto on/off of the micro switch 630.

The valve spring 640 may be disposed at an upper portion of the verticalpart of the valve body 600 to elastically pressurize the lifting valvebody 610 in the lower direction.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a control sequence of the beveragemaker according to some implementations.

The beverage maker of this implementation includes the controller 109.The user may input an operation command of the beverage maker bymanipulating a wireless communication device such as the rotary knob109A, or a remote controller, or a portable terminal. The controller 109may control the beverage maker using a preset program according to aswitching state of the rotary switch 109B or a signal applied to thewireless communication element. Here, the preset program may control thebeverage maker according to a beverage ingredient process of thebeverage maker.

Hereinafter, an operation of the beverage maker of this implementationwill be described as follows. Some of the following description willprovide an example of a beer maker, although implementations may be usedto make any suitable beverage by fermentation.

The beverage maker of this implementation may include a cleansing andsterilizing course for cleansing and sterilizing flow paths in thebeverage maker. The cleansing and sterilizing course may be performedseparately from a beverage brewing course.

The cleansing and sterilizing course is preferably performed before thebeverage brewing course is performed.

In addition, the cleansing and sterilizing course may be performed by auser input during the beverage brewing course. In this case, thecleansing and sterilizing course may be performed in a step in which themain valve 9 is closed and no additive is contained in the supplier 3,such as a primary fermentation step or secondary fermentation step whichwill be described later.

The cleansing and sterilizing course may be performed in a state inwhich the capsules C1, C2, and C3 are not accommodated in the supplier3, and the beverage brewing course may be performed in a state in whichthe capsules C1, C2, and C3 are accommodated in the supplier 3 and thebeverage brewing pack 12 is accommodated in the fermentation tank 112.

Hereinafter, the cleansing and sterilizing course will be firstdescribed.

The user may input a cleansing and sterilizing command through the inputunit, remote controller, or portable terminal provided in the controller109. The controller 109 may control the beverage maker in the cleansingand sterilizing course as the cleansing and sterilizing command isinput.

The user may manipulate the beverage extraction valve 62 to be opened,and then input the cleansing and sterilizing command through the inputunit, remote controller, or portable terminal.

If the micro switch 630 of the beverage extraction valve 62 is turnedon, the controller 109 may turn on the water supply pump 52 and thewater supply heater 53 so as to cleanse and sterilize the flow paths,and turn on the bypass valve 35 and the first, second, and thirdopening/closing valves 313, 323, and 333. In this case, the controller109 may maintain the main valve 9 to be in a closed state. When thebypass valve 35 and the first, second, and third opening/closing valves313, 323, and 333 are turned on, the bypass valve 35 and the first,second, and third opening/closing valves 313, 323, and 333 may all beopened.

When the water supply pump 52 is turned on, water of the water tank 51may be discharged from the water tank 51 to pass through the watersupply pump 52, and flow in the water supply heater 53 to be heated bythe water supply heater 53. The water (i.e., hot water) heated by thewater supply heater 53 may flow in the bypass flow path 34, the firstcapsule accommodation part 31, the second capsule accommodation part 32,and the third capsule accommodation part 33 through the water supplyflow path 4. The water flowing in the bypass flow path 34, the firstcapsule accommodation part 31, the second capsule accommodation part 32,and the third capsule accommodation part 33 may flow in the main flowpath 2. The water flowing in the main flow path 2 may pass through thebeverage extraction flow path 61 and then be discharged through thebeverage extraction valve 62.

In the above-described control of the beverage maker, the water supplyflow path 4, the bypass flow path 34, the bypass valve 35, the firstcapsule accommodation part 31, the second capsule accommodation part 32,the third capsule accommodation part 33, the main flow path 2, thebeverage extraction flow path 61, and the beverage extraction valve 62may be cleansed and sterilized by the hot water heated by the watersupply heater 53.

In the beverage maker, the above-described cleansing and sterilizationmay be performed for a cleansing setting time, and the cleansing andsterilizing step (S100) may be completed after the cleansing settingtime. After the cleansing setting time elapses, the controller 109 mayturn off the water supply pump 52 and the water supply heater 53, andturn off all of the bypass valve 35 and the first, second, and thirdopening/closing valves 313, 323, and 333. When the bypass valve 35 andthe first, second, and third opening/closing valves 313, 323, and 333are turned off, all of the bypass valve 35 and the first, second, andthird opening/closing valves 313, 323, and 333 may be closed.

The user may manipulate the beverage extraction valve 62 to be closedsuch that contamination through the beverage extraction valve 62 isblocked in the cleansing and sterilizing step (S100).

In addition, the beverage maker of this implementation may include thebeverage brewing course for brewing beverage.

Hereinafter, the beverage brewing course will be described.

In order to perform the beverage brewing course, the user may mount thebeverage brewing pack 12 in the fermentation tank 112 by opening thefermentation tank cover 114 and inserting the beverage brewing pack 12into the fermentation tank 112. After that, the user may shut thefermentation tank cover 114, and the beverage brewing pack 12 may beaccommodated and kept in the fermentation tank 112 and the fermentationtank cover 114. In addition, the user may insert the plurality ofcapsules C1, C2, and C3 into the supplier 3 and then cover the pluralityof capsule accommodation parts 31, 32, and 33 with the lid module 37before/after the beverage brewing pack 12 is mounted in the fermentationtank 112.

The user may input a beverage brewing command through the input unit,remote controller, or portable terminal provided in the controller 109.The controller 109 may control the beverage maker in the beveragebrewing course as the beverage brewing command is input.

The controller 109 may initiate a water supplying step (S200) ofsupplying water to the beverage brewing pack 12 in the beverage brewingcourse. The water supplying step S200 may be a liquidized ingredient(e.g., liquid malt) forming step of forming liquidized ingredients byuniformly mixing the ingredients (e.g., malt) with hot water.

The controller 109, in the water supply step (S200), may turn on thewater supply pump 52 and the water supply heater 53, turn on the bypassvalve 35, and turn on the main valve 9. The controller 109 may open themain valve 9 by turning on the main valve 9 that is in a turn-off state.The controller 109, in the water supplying step (S200), may maintain thefirst, second, and third opening/closing valves 313, 323, and 333 to beturned off. Meanwhile, the controller 109 may turn on the gasopening/closing valve 73 when water is supplied to the beverage brewingpack 12.

Water of the water tank 51 may be discharged from the water tank 51 topass through the water supply pump 52, and flow in the water supplyheater 53 to be heated by the water supply heater 53. The water heatedby the water supply heater 53 may flow in the main flow path 2 bypassing through the water supply flow path 4, the bypass flow path 34,and the bypass valve 35. The water flowing in the main flow path 2 maybe introduced into the beverage brewing pack 12 by passing through themain valve 9. The hot water introduced into the beverage brewing pack 12may be mixed with ingredients (e.g., malt in a beer maker) accommodatedin the beverage brewing pack 12, and the ingredient in the beveragebrewing pack 12 may be mixed with water to be gradually diluted.Further, as hot water is supplied to the beverage brewing pack 12, theingredients (e.g., malt) accommodated in the beverage brewing pack 12may be rapidly and uniformly mixed with the hot water.

In the above-described water supplying step (S200), the bypass flow path34 and the main flow path 2 may be in a state in which the bypass flowpath 34 and the main flow path 2 have already been cleansed andsterilized by the cleansing and sterilizing step (S100), anduncontaminated clean hot water may be supplied to the beverage brewingpack 12.

Meanwhile, in the above-described water supplying step (S200), the watersupply heater 53 preferably heats water to a temperature of 50° C. to70° C., and the controller 109 may control the water supply heater 53according to a temperature sensed by the thermistor 57.

The beverage maker may perform the above-described water supply step(S200) until an amount of water, sensed by the flow meter 56, reaches aset flow rate. If the amount of water, sensed by the flow meter 56,reaches the set flow rate, the water supplying step (S200) may becompleted. When the water supply step (S200) is completed, thecontroller 109 may turn off the water supply pump 52 and the watersupply heater 53, and turn off the bypass valve 35. In addition, thecontroller 109 may turn off the gas opening/closing valve 73 when thewater supply step (S200) is completed.

The beverage maker, in the above-described water supplying step (S200),may be controlled such that air is introduced into the beverage brewingpack 12.

In addition, the controller 109 may complete the water supply step(S200) by primarily supplying hot water to the inside of the beveragebrewing pack 12, injecting air into the beverage brewing pack 12, andthen secondarily injecting hot water into the beverage brewing pack 12.

As an example of the water supplying step (S200), only a hot watersupplying process may be performed.

As another example of the water supplying step (S200), a primary hotwater supplying process of primarily supplying hot water, an airinjecting process of injecting air, and a secondary hot water supplyingprocess of secondarily injecting hot water may be sequentiallyperformed.

First, the case where only the hot water supplying process is performedas an example of the water supplying step (S200) will be first describedas follows.

When the hot water supplying process is initiated, the controller 109may turn on the water supply pump 52 and the water supply heater 53,turn on the bypass valve 35, and turn on the main valve 9. Thecontroller 109 may turn on the gas opening/closing valve 73 when the hotwater supplying process is initiated. In addition, when the hot watersupplying process is completed, the controller 109 may turn off thewater supply pump 52 and the water supply heater 53, and turn off thebypass valve 35. The controller 109 may turn off the gas opening/closingvalve 73 when the hot water supplying process is completed.

Hereinafter, a case where the primary hot water supplying process, theair injecting process, and the secondary hot water supplying process aresequentially performed as another example of the water supplying step(S200) will be described as follows.

When the primary hot water supplying process is initiated, thecontroller 109 may turn on the water supply pump 52 and the water supplyheater 53, turn on the bypass valve 35, and turn on the main valve 9. Inaddition, the controller 109 may turn off the water supply pump 52 andthe water supply heater 53 when the primary hot water supplying processis completed. The controller 109 may maintain the turn-on state of thebypass valve 35 and the main valve 9 when the primary hot watersupplying process is completed. The controller 109 may maintain theturn-on state of the gas opening/closing valve 73 when the primary hotwater supplying process is completed.

When the air injecting process is initiated, the controller 109 may turnon the air injection pump 82. While the air injection pump 82 is beingturned on, air pumped by the air injection pump 82 may be introducedinto the water supply flow path 4 through the air injection flow path81, and then introduced into the beverage brewing pack 12 through thebypass flow path 34, the main flow path 2, and the main valve 9. The airintroduced into the beverage brewing pack 12 may agitate the liquidizedingredient (e.g., liquid malt in the example of a beer maker) to assistthe liquidized ingredient and the hot water to be more uniformly mixedtogether.

If a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor 72 is equal to or greaterthan a set pressure, the controller 109 may complete the air injectingprocess, and turn off the air injection pump 82 so as to complete theair injecting process. When the air injecting process is completed, thecontroller 109 may maintain the main valve 9, the bypass valve 35, andthe gas opening/closing valve 73 to be turned on.

When the secondary hot water supplying process is initiated, thecontroller 109 may turn on the water supply pump 52 and the water supplyheater 53. Like the primary water supply process, water of the watertank 51 may be supplied to the beverage brewing pack 12, and new hotwater may be additionally supplied to the beverage brewing pack 12. Thecontroller 109 may determine whether the secondary hot water supplyingprocess has been completed according to a flow rate sensed by the flowmeter 56 during the secondary hot water supplying process. If the flowrate sensed by the flow meter 56 during the secondary hot watersupplying process reaches a set flow rate, the controller 109 maydetermine that the secondary hot water supplying process has beencompleted, turn off the water supply pump 52 and the water supply heater53, and turn off the main valve 9, the bypass valve 35, and the gasopening/closing valve 73.

Meanwhile, if the water supplying step (S200) is completed, the beveragemaker may perform a fermentation tank cooling step (S300) of cooling thefermentation tank 112.

The controller 109 may control the compressor 131 and the expansiondevice 133 of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 13 so as to cool thefermentation tank 112. A refrigerant compressed by the compressor 131may be condensed by the condenser 132 and then expanded by the expansiondevice 133. The refrigerant expanded by the expansion device 133 maytake heat from the fermentation tank 112 while passing through theevaporator 134, and be evaporated. The refrigerant passing through theevaporator 134 may be sucked into the compressor 131. The fermentationtank 112 may be gradually cooled when the compressor 131 is driven, andthe beverage brewing pack 12 accommodated in the fermentation tank 112and the ingredients (e.g., malt) accommodated in the beverage brewingpack 12 may be cooled.

When the fermentation tank 112 is cooled as described above, thebeverage maker may cool the beverage brewing pack 12 to a mediumtemperature, e.g., a temperature of 23° C. to 27° C., and the controller109 may control the compressor 131 according to a temperature sensed bythe temperature sensor 16 installed in the fermentation tank 112. If thetemperature sensed by the temperature sensor 16 exceeds a compressor-ontemperature, the controller 109 may turn on the compressor 131. If thetemperature sensed by the temperature sensor 16 is equal to or less thana compressor-off temperature, the controller 109 may turn off thecompressor 131.

If the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 16 is equal to orless than the compressor-off temperature at least once after theabove-described fermentation tank cooling step S300 is initiated, thebeverage maker may perform a mixing step (S400) of mixing the liquidizedingredient (e.g., liquid malt) by supplying air to the inside of thebeverage brewing pack 12.

The beverage maker may control the compressor 131 to be turned on/offaccording to the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 16 evenduring the mixing step (S400), and the on/off control of the compressor131 may be continued until additive injecting steps (S500, S600, andS700) which will be describe later are completed.

The controller 109 may turn on the air injection pump 82, and turn onthe bypass valve 35, the main valve 9, and the gas opening/closing valve73. While the air injection pump 82 is being turned on, the air pumpedby the air injection pump 82 may be introduced into the water flow path4 through the air injection flow path 81, and then introduced into thebeverage brewing pack 12 through the bypass flow path 34, the main flowpath 2, and the main valve 9. The air introduced into the beveragebrewing pack 12 may agitate the ingredient (e.g., malt in the example ofa beer maker) to assist the ingredient and the hot water to be moreuniformly mixed together.

The controller 109 may turn on the air injection pump 82 and mix theliquidized ingredient (e.g., liquid malt) with air for a mixing settime. If the air injection pump 82 is turned on and the mixing set timeelapses, the controller 109 may turn off the air injection pump 82, andturn off the bypass valve 35 and the gas opening/closing valve 73. Ifthe mixing set time elapses, the beverage maker may complete the mixingstep (S400).

The beverage maker may perform the additive injecting steps (S500, S600,and S700) after the mixing step (S400).

In the additive injecting steps (S500, S600, and S700), the beveragemaker may simultaneously or sequentially inject an additive of the firstcapsule C1, an additive of the second capsule C2, and an additive of thethird capsule C3.

The controller 109 may sequentially perform an additive injectingprocess (S500) of the first capsule C1, an additive injecting process(S600) of the second capsule C2, and an additive injecting process(S700) of the third capsule C3.

In the additive injecting process (S500) of the first capsule C1, thecontroller 109 may turn on the water supply pump 52, the main valve 9,the first opening/closing valve 313, and the gas opening/closing valve73 for a first additive set time. When the water supply pump 52 isturned on, water of the water tank 51 may be introduced into the firstcapsule C1 by passing through the water supply pump 52, passing throughthe water supply heater 53, and then passing through the water supplyflow path 4. The water introduced into the first capsule C1 may be mixedwith the additive accommodated in the first capsule C1, flow in the mainflow path together with the additive accommodated in the first capsuleC1, and be injected into the beverage brewing pack 12 through the mainflow path 2. If the first additive set time elapses, the controller 109may turn off the water supply pump 52 and the first opening/closingvalve 313, and complete the additive injecting process (S500) of thefirst capsule C1.

In the additive injecting process (S600) of the second capsule C2, thecontroller 109 may turn on the water supply pump 52 and the secondopening/closing valve 323 for a second additive set time. When the watersupply pump 52 is turned on, water of the water tank 51 may beintroduced into the second capsule C2 by passing through the watersupply pump 52, passing through the water supply heater 53, and thenpassing through the water supply flow path 4. The water introduced intothe second capsule C2 may be mixed with the additive accommodated in thesecond capsule C2, flow in the main flow path 2 together with theadditive accommodated in the second capsule C2, and be injected into thebeverage brewing pack 12 through the main flow path 2. If the secondadditive set time elapses, the controller 109 may turn off the watersupply pump 52 and the second opening/closing valve 323, and completethe additive injecting process (S600) of the second capsule C2.

In the additive injecting process (S700) of the third capsule C3, thecontroller 109 may turn on the water supply pump 52 and the thirdopening/closing valve 333 for a third additive set time. When the watersupply pump 52 is turned on, water of the water tank 51 may beintroduced into the third capsule C3 by passing through the water supplypump 52, passing through the water supply heater 53, and then passingthrough the water supply flow path 4. The water introduced into thethird capsule C3 may be mixed with the additive accommodated in thethird capsule C3, flow in the main flow path 2 together with theadditive accommodated in the third capsule C3, and be injected into thebeverage brewing pack 12 through the main flow path 2. If the thirdadditive set time elapses, the controller 109 may turn off the watersupply pump 52 and the third opening/closing valve 333, and complete theadditive injecting process (S700) of the third capsule C3.

If all of the additive injecting steps (S500, S600, and S700) arecompleted, the beverage maker may perform a supplier remaining waterremoving step (S800) of removing remaining water in the supplier 3.

In the supplier remaining water removing step (S800), the controller 109may turn on the air injection pump 82, turn on the first opening/closingvalve 313, the second opening/closing valve 323, and the thirdopening/closing valve 333, and turn on the main valve 9 and the gasopening/closing valve 73.

When the air injection pump is turned on, air may pass through the airinjection flow path 81 and the water supply flow path 4 and then besupplied to the first capsule accommodation part 31, the second capsuleaccommodation part 32, and the third capsule accommodation part 33, toblow water remaining in the first capsule accommodation part 31, thesecond capsule accommodation part 32, and the third capsuleaccommodation part 33. The air may be moved to the beverage brewing pack12 together with the remaining water moved in the first capsuleaccommodation part 31, the second capsule accommodation part 32, and thethird capsule accommodation part 33.

The controller 109 may turn on the air injection pump 82 for a remainingwater removing set time. If the remaining water removing set timeelapses, the controller 109 may turn off the air injection pump 82, andturn off the first opening/closing valve 313, the second opening/closingvalve 323, the third opening/closing valve 333, the main valve 9, andthe gas opening/closing valve 73.

If the remaining water removing set time elapses, the beverage maker maycomplete the supplier remaining water removing step (S800).

After the supplier remaining water removing step (S800) is completed,the beverage maker may sequentially perform a first fermentation step(S900) and a second fermentation step (S1000).

In the primary fermentation step (S900), the controller 109 may controlthe compressor 131 to a primary fermentation target temperature, andcontrol the compressor 131 such that the temperature sensed by thetemperature sensor 16 maintains a primary fermentation set temperaturerange. After the first fermentation step (S900) is initiated, thecontroller 109 may periodically turn on and then turn off the gasopening/closing valve 73, and store a pressure sensed by the pressuresensor 72 in a data storage part while the gas opening/closing valve 73is being turned on. If a change in pressure periodically sensed by thepressure sensor 72 exceeds a primary fermentation set pressure, thecontroller 109 may determine that primary fermentation has beencompleted, and complete the primary fermentation step (S900).

After the primary fermentation step (S900) is completed, the controller109 may initiate the secondary fermentation step (S1000). In thesecondary fermentation step (S1000), the controller 109 may control thecompressor 131 to a secondary fermentation target temperature, andcontrol the compressor 131 such that the temperature sensed by thetemperature sensor 16 maintains a secondary fermentation set temperaturerange. After the second fermentation step (S1000) is initiated, thecontroller 109 may periodically turn on and then turn off the gasopening/closing valve 73, and store a pressure sensed by the pressuresensor 72 in the data storage part while the gas opening/closing valve73 is being turned on. If a change in pressure periodically sensed bythe pressure sensor 72 exceeds a secondary fermentation set pressure,the controller 109 may determine that secondary fermentation has beencompleted, and complete the secondary fermentation step (S1000).

If both of the primary fermentation step (S900) and the secondaryfermentation step (S1000) are completed, the beverage maker may performa ripening step (S1100).

In the ripening step (S1100), the controller 109 may wait during aripening time, and control the compressor 131 such that the temperatureof beverage maintains between an upper limit value of a set ripeningtemperature and a lower limit value of the set ripening temperatureduring the ripening time. If the temperature sensed by the temperaturesensor 16 is equal to or less than the lower limit value of the setripening temperature, the controller 109 may turn off the compressor131. If the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 16 is equal toor greater than the upper limit value of the set ripening temperature,the controller 109 may turn on the compressor 131.

In the beverage maker, if the ripening time elapses, all of the steps ofbrewing beverage may be completed, and the user may extract the beverageby manipulating the beverage extraction valve 62.

If the user manipulates the beverage extraction valve 62 to be opened,the micro switch 630 may be point-contacted, and the controller 109 mayopen the main valve 9 in the state in which all of the steps of brewingthe beverage are completed. In addition, the controller 109 may turn onthe air pump 152 and the air control valve 156.

When the air pump 152 is turned on, air may be supplied to the inside ofthe fermentation tank assembly 11 through the air supply flow path 154.The air supplied to the inside of the fermentation tank assembly 11 maypressurize the beverage ingredient pack 12. When the beverage ingredientpack 12 is pressurized by the air, beverage of which fermentation andripening have been completed in the beverage ingredient pack 12 may flowin the main flow path 2. The beverage flowing in the main flow path 2may pass through the beverage extraction flow path 61, flow in thebeverage extraction valve 62, and then be extracted to the outsidethrough the beverage extraction valve 62.

Hereinafter, an example of a beverage extracting step (S1200) will bedescribed.

Hereinafter, components and operations different from those of theabove-described implementations will be described, and componentsidentical or similar to those of the above-described implementationswill be omitted to avoid redundancy.

FIG. 14 is an example of a configuration view of a control system forextracting a beverage in the beverage making apparatus according to someimplementations. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of asequence of a first implementation of beverage extraction controlperformed by the beverage making apparatus. FIG. 16 is a flowchartillustrating an example of a sequence of a second implementation of thebeverage extraction control performed by the beverage making apparatus.

The control system for extracting a beverage may include thefermentation tank assembly 11. The fermentation tank assembly 11 mayinclude a fermentation tank having an opening formed therein and afermentation tank cover covering the opening. The beverage ingredientpack 12 may be inserted and accommodated in the fermentation tankthrough the opening. The beverage ingredient pack 12 containsingredients for making the beverage, and may also hold the beveragetherein. A main flow path 2 may be connected to the fermentation tankcover, and a beverage extraction flow path 61 may be connected to themain flow path 2. A gas extraction flow path 71 may be connected to thefermentation tank cover. An air supply flow path 154 may be connected tothe inside of the fermentation tank to supply air between thefermentation tank and the beverage ingredient pack 12.

The beverage making apparatus may further include one or more electronicstorage or memory devices, such as data storage part 109S. The datastorage part 109S may store various information, such as a pressurevalue measured by the pressure sensor 72. One or more processors, suchas controller 109, may control the data storage part 109S to store apressure value, and load the stored pressure value.

In the following, a sequence of the first implementation of the beverageextraction control will be described.

The beverage extraction valve 62 may be configured to be manipulated bya user. For example, a user may turn on the beverage extraction valve 62so as to extract beverage, or turn off the beverage extraction valve 62so as to end the extraction of the beverage.

In some implementations, one or more electronic devices may be includedin the valve 63. For example, a micro switch may be included in thebeverage extraction valve 62. The micro switch may be turned on orturned off as the beverage extraction valve 62 is manipulated.

The controller 109 may detect that the beverage extraction valve 62 hasbeen turned on or turned off. Also, the controller 109 may detect thatthe micro switch has been turned on or turned off.

The controller 109 may detect that the beverage extraction valve 62 hasbeen turned on or turned off (S1201). When the beverage extraction valve62 is turned on, the controller 109 may control the main valve 9 to openthe main flow path 2. When the main valve 9 is turned on, the main flowpath 2 may be opened.

In addition, when the beverage extraction valve 62 is turned on, thecontroller 109 may control the gas opening/closing valve 73 to open thegas extraction flow path 71. When the gas opening/closing valve 73 isturned on, the gas extraction flow path 71 may be opened (S1202).

If the main flow path 2 is opened, beverage contained in the beverageingredient pack 12 may flow along the main flow path 2, and be extractedalong the beverage extraction flow path 61 connected to the main flowpath 2.

In addition, if the gas extraction flow path 71 is opened, gas that isformed due to fermentation inside the beverage ingredient pack 12 may beextracted to the outside of the beverage making apparatus through thegas extraction flow path 71.

When the beverage extraction valve 62 is turned off, the controller 109may control the main valve 9 to close the main flow path 2. When themain valve 9 is turned off, the main flow path 2 may be closed.

In addition, when the beverage extraction valve 62 is turned off, thecontroller 109 may control the gas opening/closing valve 73 to close thegas extraction flow path 71. When the gas opening/closing valve 73 isturned off, the gas extraction flow path 71 may be closed (S1203).

When the main valve 9 is turned off, the controller may control thepressure sensor 72 to measure a pressure inside the beverage ingredientpack 12 (S1204).

The controller 109 may compare and calculate whether a pressure Pmeasured by the pressure sensor 72 is smaller than a first referencevalue (S1205). The first reference value may be a value previouslystored in the data storage part S109S.

When the measured pressure P is greater than the first reference value,the controller 109 may control the air control valve 156 to close theair supply flow path 154. When the air control valve 156 is turned off,the air supply flow path 154 may be closed.

In addition, when the measured pressure P is greater than the firstreference value, the controller 109 may control the air pump 152 not toinject air into the fermentation tank (S1206). When the air pump 152 isturned off, driving of the air pump 152 may be stopped, and air may notbe injected into the fermentation tank.

When the measured pressure P is smaller than the first reference value,the controller 109 may control the air control valve 156 to open the airsupply flow path 154. When the air control valve 156 is turned on, theair supply flow path 154 may be closed.

In addition, when the measured pressure P is smaller than the firstreference value, the controller 109 may control the air pump 152 toinject air into the fermentation tank. When the air pump 152 is turnedon, the air pump 152 may be driven, and air may be injected into thefermentation tank (S1207).

When the air pump 152 is driven and the air supply flow path is opened,the air injected by the air pump 152 may be injected into thefermentation tank along the air supply flow path 154. The air injectedinto the fermentation tank may increase the pressure in the fermentationtank.

In the following, a sequence of a second implementation of the beverageextraction control will be described. Hereinafter, components andoperations different from those of the above-described firstimplementation of the beverage extraction control will be described, andcomponents identical or similar to those of the above-described firstimplementation will be omitted to avoid redundancy.

According to the second implementation of the beverage extractioncontrol, the controller 109 may detect whether the beverage extractionvalve 62 has been turned on or turned off (S1201). The controller 109may control the gas opening/closing valve 73 to open the gas extractionflow path 71 (S1202).

In addition, when the beverage extraction valve 62 is turned off, thecontroller 109 may control the gas opening/closing valve 73 to close thegas extraction flow path 71 (S1203).

When the main valve 9 is turned off, the controller 109 may control thepressure sensor 72 to measure a pressure inside the beverage ingredientpack 12 (S1204).

The controller 109 may compare and calculate whether a pressure Pmeasured by the pressure sensor 72 is greater than a second referencevalue (S1208). The second reference value may be a value previouslystored in the data storage part 109S.

When the measured pressure P is greater than the second reference value,the controller 109 may control the air control valve 156 to close theair supply flow path 154. When the air control valve 156 is turned off,the air supply flow path 154 may be closed.

In addition, when the measured pressure P is greater than the secondreference value, the controller 109 may control the air pump 152 not toinject air into the fermentation tank (S1209). When the air pump 152 isturned off, driving of the air pump 152 may be stopped, and air may notbe injected into the fermentation tank.

When the measured pressure P is smaller than the second reference value,the controller 109 may compare and calculate whether the measuredpressure P is smaller than a third reference value (S1210). The thirdreference value may be a value previously stored in the data storagepart 109S.

When the measured pressure P is greater than the third reference value,the controller 109 may control the air control valve 156 to close theair supply flow path 154. When the air control valve 156 is turned off,the air supply flow path 154 may be closed.

In addition, when the measured pressure P is greater than the thirdreference value, the controller 109 may control the air pump 152 not toinject air into the fermentation tank (S1211). When the air pump 152 isturned off, the driving of the air pump may be stopped, and air may notbe injected into the fermentation tank.

When the measured pressure P is smaller than the third reference value,the controller 109 may control the air control valve 156 to open the airsupply flow path 154. When the air control valve 156 is turned on, theair supply flow path 154 may be closed.

In addition, when the measured pressure P is smaller than the thirdreference value, the controller 109 may control the air pump 152 toinject air into the fermentation tank. When the air pump 152 is turnedon, the air pump 152 may be driven, and air may be injected into thefermentation tank (S1212).

When the air pump 152 is driven and the air supply flow path 154 isopened, the air injected by the air pump 152 may be injected into thefermentation tank along the air supply flow path 154. The air injectedinto the fermentation tank may increase the pressure in the fermentationtank.

The gas extraction flow path 7 may further include a gas dischargerelief valve 75. The gas discharge relief valve 75 may prevent thepressure of the beverage ingredient pack 12 from being rapidlyincreased.

Components included in the gas extraction flow path 71 may be the gasdischarge relief valve 75, the pressure sensor 72, the gasopening/closing valve 73, and the air filter along the direction inwhich gas is discharged.

The air supply flow path 154 may further include an air relief valve.The air relief valve 158 may prevent the pressure of a space between thefermentation tank and the beverage ingredient pack 12 from being rapidlyincreased.

Components included in the air supply flow path 154 may be the air pump152, the air control valve 156, and the air relief valve 158 along thedirection in which air is injected.

The beverage extraction flow path 61 may include a bubble blocking part63. The bubble blocking part 63 may be configured to reduce bubbles orcarbonation in the extracted beverage.

Components included in the beverage extraction flow path 61 may be thebubble blocking part 63 and the beverage extraction valve 62 along thedirection in which the beverage is extracted.

The controller 109 may maintain the pressure in the beverage ingredientpack 12 by driving the air pump 152. If the pressure in the beverageingredient pack 12 is decreased to a predetermined value or less evenwhen the air pump 152 is driven, the controller 109 may determine thatthe entire beverage in the beverage ingredient pack 12 has beenconsumed.

In addition, an amount of beverage extracted per unit time when thebeverage is extracted may be previously stored data. Therefore, thecontroller 109 may calculate a beverage extraction amount by measuring atime required to extract the beverage. Alternatively, the controller 109may calculate a beverage extraction amount by measuring a time requiredto turn on the main valve 9. Alternatively, the controller 109 maycalculate a beverage extraction amount by measuring a time required toturn on the micro switch 630.

The controller 109 may calculate a beverage extraction amount, andaccordingly calculate an amount of beverage remaining in the beverageingredient pack 12.

Meanwhile, the flow path including the main flow path 2, the watersupply flow path 4, the beverage extraction flow path 61, the gasextraction flow path 71, the air injection flow path 81, the air supplyflow path 154, and the like, which are described in the presentdisclosure, may be formed a hose or tube through which a fluid can pass.The flow path may be configured with a plurality of hoses or tubescontinued in the length direction thereof. The flow path may include twohoses or tubes disposed with another component such as a control valve,interposed therebetween.

The foregoing implementations are merely exemplary and are not to beconsidered as limiting the present disclosure. This description isintended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims.Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and othercharacteristics of the exemplary implementations described herein may becombined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternativeexemplary implementations.

As the present features may be implemented in several forms withoutdeparting from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understoodthat the above-described implementations are not limited by any of thedetails of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, butrather should be considered broadly within its scope as defined in theappended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fallwithin the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metesand bounds, are therefore intended to be embraced by the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A beverage making apparatus, comprising: afermentation tank assembly comprising a fermentation tank having anopening formed therein; a fermentation tank cover configured to coverthe opening; a dispenser configured to selectively provide at least onecapsule of beverage ingredients; a first channel connected to thefermentation tank assembly and configured to selectively providebidirectional flow into or out of the fermentation tank assembly; asecond channel that connects a water tank to the first channel via thedispenser; a beer extractor configured to extract a beverage fermentedin the fermentation tank assembly; and a third channel that connects thebeer extractor to the first channel and the second channel; and a bypassflow path configured to bypass the dispenser, wherein a first end and asecond end of the bypass flow path are connected to the second channel,wherein the second channel is coupled with a water supply pump and awater supply heater, wherein the third channel is configured to provideflow from the first channel or the second channel to the beer extractor,wherein the first channel connects to the second channel at a connectionpoint at which the third channel is connected, wherein the secondchannel is configured to provide unidirectional flow from the water tankto the first channel, and wherein the third channel is configured toprovide unidirectional flow from the first channel to the beerextractor.
 2. The beverage making apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefirst channel is configured to transport a first liquid unidirectionallyinto the fermentation tank assembly, and transport a second liquidunidirectionally out of the fermentation tank assembly, and wherein thefirst liquid comprises water, and the second liquid comprises a beverageproduct produced from the water and beverage ingredients held in thefermentation tank assembly.
 3. The beverage making apparatus of claim 1,wherein the first channel is configured to connect to the fermentationtank assembly by connecting to the fermentation tank cover.
 4. Thebeverage making apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second channel isdirectly coupled with the water tank.
 5. The beverage making apparatusof claim 1, wherein the water supply heater is configured to becontrolled based on a temperature sensed by a thermistor, and to heatwater to a temperature of 50° C. to 70° C.
 6. The beverage makingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the water supply pump and the water supplyheater are turned off, based on an amount of water sensed by a flowmeter reaching a set flow rate, and wherein the flow meter is coupledwith the second channel.
 7. The beverage making apparatus of claim 1,further comprising: a pack accommodated in the fermentation tank; and anair pump configured to supply air in a space between an inside wall ofthe fermentation tank and an outside surface of the pack accommodatedinside the fermentation tank.
 8. The beverage making apparatus of claim7, wherein the first channel is configured to transport a liquid out ofthe pack.
 9. The beverage making apparatus of claim 7, wherein the packis configured to be inserted into the fermentation tank through theopening.